Uehara (40) hails from Sao Paulo in Brazil but has lived in New Zealand for 10 years and takes over his new role from Terry Phelan.
Phelan, the former Republic of Ireland international and premier league footballer, who also managed Otago United, has moved on to Goa, India, where he is doing a similar job developing footballers.
Uehara has spent many years coaching football, starting out in Brazil and then coaching in Japan, where he met his New Zealand wife Nicola.
They came back to Dunedin and Uehara has been involved in football ever since.
He has run football schools, and coached futsal teams, as well as coaching football teams at various clubs around Dunedin.
He studied physical education at University of Otago and is now studying for a PhD on skill acquisition, focusing on football, for which will be use Brazilian football as research.
He has another two years to complete the PhD.
Uehara said he was excited to take on his new role.
The "whole of football" plan developed by New Zealand Football was a holistic approach to the game, to develop all-round players, he said, and also improve the skills of coaches, who were vital for the game.
The new plan meant games on Saturday mornings for youngsters would not be all about playing the game but also working on skills and technique.
Uehara said he hoped to bring all facets of football from all corners of the globe to coaching.
There was a lot of talent in the southern region, he said, and if it could be harnessed in the right direction, it could blossom.
