The 29-year-old, who joined Leicester following the 2007 World Cup in France, made 45 Test appearances in the All Black jersey between 2001 and 2007.
"I am leaving Leicester, which is pretty sad, but I want to go back to New Zealand and look at the opportunities of playing over there again with an eye on the World Cup," he said. "My desire is to play again for the All Blacks and Canterbury and give it my best crack."