Former Australian one-day wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi is to cross the Tasman in an attempt to play international cricket for New Zealand.

The 30-year-old is set to sign for Wellington in the domestic competition and will become eligible to play for New Zealand in January 2013.

The Dannevirke-born gloveman told the Western Australian Cricket Association website he was not assured of playing top-flight cricket for the country he left as a six-year-old.

“I am heading across the Tasman with no guarantees, but at 30 years of age I feel that I still have a lot to offer at the very highest level and I am looking forward to making the move with my family,” Ronchi said.

He has played 58 first-class matches and 86 one-day games for Western Australia and last featured for Australia in a Twenty20 international against South Africa in 2009.

Cricket Wellington’s director of cricket Robbie Kerr told the Dominion Post that they had a “gentleman’s agreement” with Ronchi to play for them next summer.

If Ronchi wants to play for the Black Caps he will need to oust current Test wicketkeeper BJ Watling from the role, while Brendon McCullum takes the gloves in one-day and Twenty20 matches.

Former Perth-based batsman Dean Brownlie has played four Tests for New Zealand since heading across the Tasman in 2009.