2017 will be Hika Elliot's last season in New Zealand rugby after signing on with French club Oyonnax, the club announced Thursday.
Making 125 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes and the Chiefs as well as playing nine times for the Maori All Blacks, the hooker will leave New Zealand with a host of experience.
Elliot also played four Tests for the All Blacks in between 2010 and 2015.
The 31-year-old has been the Chiefs' starting hooker this season but could face the rest of the season starting from the bench with the return of Nathan Harris.
Situated in France's east near the country's border with Switzerland, the club earned promotion to the Top 14 next season after winning French rugby's second tier competition.
Elliot joins a number of Chiefs heading north at the end of the season including Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Toulon), Aaron Cruden (Montpellier) and James Lowe (Leinster).
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