The hard-working Otago lock, who has played for the Highlanders for the past three seasons, said he was considering a switch to the Hamilton-based franchise for various reasons, not all related to what was happening on the rugby paddock.
He has played 15 games for Otago and 37 games for the Highlanders, and played for New Zealand Maori this year.
Triggs said he wanted to move north for holistic reasons but "nothing has been decided yet".
He said all his family still lived in the North Island and with daughter Adelaide, who turned 2 yesterday, getting older, it might be time for him and partner Mikala to return to the North Island.
Triggs (28), a former army diesel mechanic, was originally from Palmerston North, and though no fan of the southern winter, he said it would be hard to leave the South.
"But it [moving north] would probably be a better option for the whole family," he said.
He had signed a deal to play for Otago for just this season.
Triggs said he had spoken to new Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph last week but that would have little impact on his decision.
Also coming into the equation would be the chance of getting a starting place at the Chiefs.
With All Black lock Tom Donnelly and Southland lock Josh Bekhuis the likely first-choice locks to start for the Highlanders next season, Triggs said he did not play the game to sit on the bench.
An ankle injury for Donnelly early on in the Highlanders season led to Triggs getting a start for the last eight games of the 2010 season.
The Chiefs are light on experienced locks, with Kevin O'Neill moving to the Melbourne Rebels.
Romana Graham and Culum Retallick played in the second row for the Chiefs this year but both are in their first seasons of Super 14.
Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said Triggs had been up front with the union about his plans and what he wanted to do. Reid said his reasons were understandable.
Triggs was a good player who would be missed, Reid said, but these sort of things would happen reasonably regularly under the new direct contracting system.
Triggs will be a big loss for both Otago and the Highlanders, as he has never failed to throw his body around and is a dependable lineout forward.
He first played for the Highlanders in 2008, after playing one match for the Hurricanes in 2007.
If he leaves for northern climes, competing for a locking berth in the Highlanders squad next season will be Southland locks Joe Tuineau and Alex Ryan, and Otago locks Hoani Matenga and Josh Townsend.
