Tucker, who has had a devil of a time trying to stay injury-free, will seek a fresh start with the Hurricanes in 2025.
He played 11 games (six starts) for the Highlanders over the past two seasons, but managed just two starts and two sub appearances for Otago this year as he battled an ongoing foot problem.
Tucker will be joined at the Hurricanes by a second southern lock, Zach Gallagher, who is highly rated but is squeezed out by a surfeit of second-row talent at the Crusaders.
Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw will miss TJ Perenara (Japan) and Jordie Barrett (sabbatical in Ireland) but still has seven All Blacks to call upon, while first five Riley Hohepa has returned from the Crusaders.
New Hurricanes include Moana Pasifika halfback Ere Enari, former Southland loose forward Arese Poliko, North Harbour winger Kade Banks and Bay of Plenty first five Lucas Cashmore.
Otago forwards George Bower and Christian Lio-Willie remain in the Crusaders squad.
The Crusaders were desperately poor in 2024 but they will still carry 13 All Blacks into the new season alongside veteran Australian first five James O’Connor.
They have also recruited Waikato loose forward Xavier Saifoloi and Wellington halfback Kyle Preston.
Beauden Barrett returns to the Blues after his Japan excursion, and among the seven new players in the defending champions’ squad is fullback Payton Spencer, son of club great Carlos.
Bryce Heem is out with injury for the Blues, who have recruited Bay of Plenty utility Reon Paul.
The Chiefs have swooped on Crusaders hooker Brodie McAlister.
Jahrome Brown also returns to Hamilton after five years with the Brumbies, while first five Josh Jacomb earns a full contract after playing four games last season.
Moana Pasifika, who made the biggest splash in the offseason by recruiting All Blacks star Ardie Savea, have named 14 new players, including Wellington first five Jackson Garden-Bachop and former Highlanders winger Solomon Alaimalo, who returns to rugby after a year with the Tigers in the NRL.
The big movers across the Ditch could be the Waratahs.
They were awful in 2024 but have picked up star league recruit Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and benefited from the collapse of the Melbourne Rebels by signing Wallabies Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Rob Leota, Isaac Kailea and Darby Lancaster.
Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and winger Filipo Daugunu are coming home to bolster the Reds, while the Brumbies nab centre David Feliuai and lock Tuaina Taii Tualima from the Rebels.
The Western Force should be stronger, too, thanks to the additions of Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, lock Darcy Swain and winger Dylan Pietsch.
No fewer than 33 players with test experience are included in the Fijian Drua squad along with sevens star Ponipate Loganimasi.
There are 37 Super Rugby rookies among the 428 contracted players.
