Jarrad Hoeata made his All Blacks debut against Fiji in 2011.

Former All Black Jarrad Hoeata is returning to New Zealand after inking a deal with North Harbour.

The union confirmed on their website they had secured a deal with the 33-year-old, who played three tests for the All Blacks in 2011.

Hoeata, a lock-loose forward, played 66 games for Taranaki, 52 for the Highlanders and nine for the New Zealand Maori before inking a three-year contract with the Cardiff Blues in 2014.

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But with his deal expired, he was ready to return home.

In a statement on North Harbour Rugby's website, coach Tom Coventry said Hoeata will bring some vital experience to his side with last season's captain Chris Vui now playing for English club Worcester Warriors.

"Jarrad's entry into Harbour is on the back of losing last years captain and lock Chris Vui to Europe," he said. "We've been looking within the union to replace Chris' experience, and this coincides with Jarrad's contract coming to an end at the Cardiff Blues and him wanting to return to New Zealand.

"He believes hes still got plenty to offer the NPC, and still has a desire to play Super Rugby again, so he brings that experience that we possibly lose with Chris. To me it was an opportunity to put his experience into our squad. He brings a hard-nosed, uncompromising attitude to the way he plays the game, so brings that to our squad as well."

Coventry is in his first year at the helm of North Harbour after replacing Steven Jackson, who is now an assistant coach at the Blues.

Hoeata is the third major pick-up for North Harbour.

They have already locked in Waikato and Chiefs outside back Shaun Stevenson, who opted to return to the province he grew up in.

It was a similar story for Manawatu and Hurricanes prop Chris Eves.

The 29-year-old made his provincial debut for North Harbour in 2008 before heading overseas.

In 2013 he made his mark with Manawatu where he has played 30 games and has racked up more than 50 games for the Hurricanes.