Newland, the Hawkes Bay tighthead prop, said yesterday he had signed to play for Irish club side Leinster in the Magners League.
Newland told Hawkes Bay Today he was keen to get overseas and have a look around.
He had signed a one-year deal with the Irish club, after which he might look at a move to another country.
The 30-year-old has played more than 100 games for Hawkes Bay and was part of the Highlanders for the past three years.
He was normally a starter for the Highlanders but faced stiff competition from Southland prop Chris King on the tighthead side.
Newland's move should mean a slot in the starting side for King, and it may also open up the chance for Otago prop Halani Aulika.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph could not be contacted yesterday but said earlier any signings would be announced in due course and only when players had signed a contract.
Aulika (27) moved south from Auckland with the intention of trying to make the Highlanders and has impressed with his athletic ability around the field, although there are concerns about his scrummaging ability.
With King and Southland captain Jamie Mackintosh certainties for the Highlanders, the remaining propping options remain open.
Veteran Otago prop Kees Meeuws has indicated he is available for all levels of rugby and he has shown good form this season for Otago, although he has been lowered by a knee injury over the past couple of weeks.
But there are doubts over whether his 36-year-old legs would last the distance of a Super 15 campaign.
Other signings mooted for the Highlanders include New Zealand sevens representatives Kurt Baker from Taranaki, Sherwin Stowers from Counties Manukau, while North Harbour winger Nafi Tuitavake could also head south.
Joseph has another 10 days to confirm 28 players for his squad. On October 25, the Highlanders and the other four New Zealand franchises have to name 28 protected players in their squads to the New Zealand Rugby Union.
The franchises then pick remaining players from a draft a couple of days before the squads are announced on November 10.
