The former Highlanders winger, who scored a team-record 45 tries from 2015 to 2019 and played 26 tests for the All Blacks, is among nine new Otago signings for the NPC season.
He adds experience to a young backline after stalwart Josh Ioane signed with Waikato and Vilimoni Koroi is exploring new opportunities.
"We’ve sort of lost a wealth of experience, particularly through our backs", Otago coach Tom Donnelly said.
"What these young guys can learn off him around his professionalism ... I think he’s going to add massively to our squad this year around helping these young guys develop into great professionals."
Ajay Faleafaga and Will Stodart, who are representing the Baby Blacks at the Under-20 World Cup in South Africa, are new faces, as are Finn Hurley, Jeremiah Asi, Harry Taylor and Rohan Wingham.
Ben Lopas and Josh Whaanga, replacing injured James Lentjes and Josh Timu, are in line for their debuts and Nathan Hastie — who debuted for the Highlanders this season, but missed the past two NPCs through injury — is also uncapped.
Donnelly said Hurley had been "exceptional" at fullback for Green Island, but where he was best suited for Otago would be decided during preseason.
Highlanders Jona Nareki, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Sam Gilbert and Jake Te Hiwi add power to the backline, Jack Leslie gets an opportunity to add to his sole cap and Caleb Leef is a replacement player.
Competition for the starting No 9 jersey is tight among Hastie, James Arscott and Kieran McClea, who has been playing for the New England Free Jacks in America. Flanker Sam Fischli also returns from the Free Jacks, while hooker Henry Bell has been with the Utah Warriors.
There is strength in the loose forwards with Sean Withy, Oliver Haig and Crusader Christian Lio-Willie, who has committed south again.
"He’s had a phenomenal year with the Crusaders, becoming champion and he’s played some big minutes," Donnelly said.
"Any time we can tap into sort of what he’s learnt up there and what he can bring back to our environment that can make us better will be awesome."
Josh Dickson, Fabian Holland, Will Tucker and Josh Hill make up the locks. Holland, who injured his hamstring earlier this year, was tracking well and was hoped to return for a preseason game.
Ricky Jackson and Brady Robertson round out the hookers and Jermaine Ainsley, Saula Ma’u (Highlanders) and Abraham Pole (Crusaders) join Wingham, who played for North Otago in the Heartland Championship, to complete the front row.
Timu’s return was "unknown" following ankle surgery, but Lentjes was ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury.
However, he was keen to "dip his toes" into coaching and would help the group.
"He’s a great leader within our squad, so it keeps him close to our players and close to our leadership group to help guide a pretty young team."
A strong Otago connection is clear among the group, with 19 coming through the academy programme and 18 attending school within the region,
"sort of a squad that almost all of them have got really good associations with clubs down here".
"It’s really a testament, I suppose, to the work our academy’s done sort of the last three, four, five years at developing talent within the region and sort of bringing the young talent and developing them as well.
"It’s exciting. It’s a real combination of some experience through our forward pack, with some really young and exciting backs who will hopefully bring a lot of flair to the way we play."
A captain is yet to be named.
Otago
The squad
Jeremiah Asi*, Jermaine Ainsley, James Arscott, Henry Bell, Josh Dickson, Ajay Faleafaga*, Sam Fischli, Sam Gilbert, Nathan Hastie*, Josh Hill, Oliver Haig, Fabian Holland, Finn Hurley*, Ricky Jackson, Jack Leslie, Christian Lio-Willie, Saula Ma’u, Kieran McClea, Cameron Millar, Waisake Naholo*, Jona Nareki, Abraham Pole, Brady Robertson, Will Stodart*, Harry Taylor*, Jake Te Hiwi, Will Tucker, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Rohan Wingham*, Sean Withy. Tau Koloamatangi (international duty). George Bower, James Lentjes, Josh Timu (unavailable due to injury). Ben Lopas*, Caleb Leef, Josh Whaanga* (replacement players).
*Uncapped player
