Hurricanes midfield back Tim Bateman will depart at the end of the Super Rugby season after signing for a second stint of club rugby in Japan.
Bateman, 26, will play two seasons for the West Red Sparks, repeating his previous stint in for the club in 2011-12.
That period was in between three seasons with Canterbury and the Crusaders and another three with Wellington and the Hurricanes.
The skilful Greymouth-born centre has been a regular selection for the Maori All Blacks since 2008.
Bateman told journalists the motivation for leaving this time was to improve the prospects of his wife Laura, who was diagnosed last year with multiple sclerosis.
A lack of treatment options in New Zealand compared unfavourably with Japan, where he said the Red Sparks have committed to help care for her.
The couple and their two daughters will live near a leading medical specialist in Fukuoka.
Bateman's season has been hampered by a knee injury and the form of Alapati Leiua at centre although he has earned a start for Friday's game against the Highlanders in Wellington.
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