Offspinner Jeetan Patel has become the fourth New Zealand player to secure an English county contract for this year.
Patel is to join Warwickshire - national coach Andy Moles' old county - as their overseas professional for the coming season.
The 28-year-old is expected to have no restriction placed on
his bowling workload by New Zealand Cricket, the only stipulation being that he is "reasonably handled", according to the county.
Patel, who is playing in his sixth test, against India in Napier, was recommended to Warwickshire by Moles. He is due in England for the opening game in the championship, against Somerset starting on April 15.
"He's committed in everything he does and he's a great team man," Moles said, in endorsing the move.
The other three players with contracts in place, all also from Wellington, are allrounder James Franklin, opening bowler Iain O'Brien and ODI international Grant Elliott.
Franklin joins former New Zealand internationals Craig Spearman and Hamish Marshall at Gloucestershire, who are coached by former national player and coach John Bracewell.
O'Brien has signed with Leicestershire, at least until the end of July, before New Zealand's tour to Sri Lanka. Elliott has a shorter term deal with Surrey running until the end of May.
Only Patel will be playing in the first division championship. The other three players' counties are in the second division. All will be strong contenders to make the squad for the world Twenty20 championship in England from June 5-21.
The county opportunity means four players of the current test 12 - Martin Guptill, Tim McIntosh, Jamie How and Chris Martin - are not involved in either first-class cricket or the Indian Premier League over the winter.
