Peter Fulton is leaving the Blackcaps to take up the position of Canterbury head coach.
Since retiring in 2017, the former test opener has steadily worked his way up the ranks to become the Blackcaps batting coach under Gary Stead.
The 41-year-old will now return to the province for which he played 16 seasons, notching up 121 first class, 113 one day, and 81 Twenty20 appearances, winning five Plunket Shield and two Ford Trophy titles along the way.
His departure comes less than a year since he began the job with the national team, replacing Craig McMillan, who stepped aside after their incredible World Cup campaign.
But the draw of staying at home and the appeal of taking on a head coaching role were too strong for Fulton.
"Being a head coach is something I've always wanted to do. It's a pretty different skillset to being an assistant, so I'm really keen to give that a crack.
"When you combine that with the opportunity to be at home a bit more often with the family, it was too hard to turn down."
Fulton says his experience at the international level was invaluable and he's eager to build on that within the domestic scene, where he hopes to use those lessons to develop his players to take the step to the next level.
"Just being in that environment for a year you're always earning. Working with Gary Stead and trying to pick his brain as much as you can. Trying to soack up as knowledge as possible.
"It's been a useful experience and part of this job is trying to get guys to progress through to international cricket. Being in that environment, you certainly know what it takes to get there."
He's also excited about the challenge of bringing Canterbury back to their winning ways.
"It feels really good to be back at Canterbury," Fulton says. "I've been away from the team for a little bit, but it feels great to be back and I can’t wait to get stuck into it.
"I loved my time with the Blackcaps, but I've always wanted to be a head coach with the added roles and responsibilities that come with the job.
"To get the chance to do it for a province I’m passionate about and to be home with my young family made it the perfect job."
