A week after claiming the No 1 recruiting prize of outstanding winger Hosea Gear, the franchise has added a talented, light-footed midfield back to the mix.
The added bonus is that Ellison will settle in Dunedin to play his provincial rugby for Otago. Like Gear, Ellison has had a long association with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph with both Wellington and New Zealand Maori.
Ellison (28) played one test for the All Blacks in 2009 - he and Highlanders fullback Ben Smith each made their debut against Italy - and also appeared against the Barbarians.
He was a 2006 Commonwealth Games sevens gold medallist and a regular member of the Hurricanes for five seasons before heading to Japan to play for the Ricoh Black Rams last year.
"We're really excited. It's a big signing for us," Joseph told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
"He was an All Black, and he covers a lot of positions. He's got experience and he gives us some real firepower in our backline and some good depth."
The Highlanders have also recently re-signed centre Kendrick Lynn, an ever-present in their resurgent 2011 season, as well as captain and prop Jamie Mackintosh, subject to an injury clearance following an operation.
Lynn, Ellison, Shaun Treeby and Siale Piutau will give Joseph plenty of options in the midfield, though Joseph also sees Ellison as wing and fullback cover.
Ellison only left New Zealand last year, joining Ricoh on a two-year deal. He will play out this season and join the Highlanders in about February.
"He's still got a bit of fire in the belly to be an All Black again," Joseph said.
"He's still young and he's very keen to play at the top level. From my own experience, once you get to Japan you pretty much retire from the top level.
"He feels he can play up there again. He's not coming back just to hang on for another season."
Ellison got married in June - he and wife Meremaraea asked guests to donate to Red Cross appeals for victims of the Christchurch and Japanese earthquakes - and has a young son.
He, Gear and All Black hooker Andrew Hore are three ex-Hurricanes coming south, and Joseph said their signings was a reflection the Highlanders franchise was now seen as an attractive destination.
"I think the success of the team last year has opened the eyes of our fans and of a few players.
"Guys like to be comfortable and confident that the team they choose is going to provide a vehicle to the next level.
"Hosea, Horey, Tamati ... for them to decide to come south and play for the Highlanders is a huge boost for us.
"One of the things I've been saying to the players is that they have a big opportunity to carve out some success down here. It's that hunger that I want to see from the players."
