The New Zealand Herald reported the 107-test veteran wants a break from the sport following the 2018 Commonwealth Games in order to prolong her international career.
The 30-year-old goal attack is expected to commit to Netball New Zealand through to the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool, but desires some flexibility around her playing schedule during the next two years.
That could mean missing part of the Mystics campaign in the ANZ Premiership.
Sabbatical is one of those words that was not in the sporting vocabulary a decade ago but it is becoming common-place now.
The idea is someone towards the end of their career takes a break to help get them through to a key event in good condition.
Tutaia is the latest New Zealander linked to such a move.
While the details are yet to be confirmed, it would calm fears she might look to play offshore.
It is something we have seen creep into rugby in recent times as several key All Blacks have looked to make it to an extra World Cup.
That looks to be the thinking in Tutaia's case, with reports suggesting she will commit through to the 2019 World Cup.
But is it the right move?
In the case of rugby players who have done it, Dan Carter's sabbatical beginning in late 2013 was arguably the most successful.
While the first five-eighth was injury-plagued upon his return, he came right and was key in the All Blacks' 2015 World Cup win.
Would he have still been capable of performing so well at that tournament had he not taken that break 18 months earlier?
You have to think not, given the injury troubles he had through his final years in New Zealand.
Richie McCaw is another who took a break, his coming at the beginning of 2013.
That helped him through to the World Cup too, where he captained the All Blacks to their win. Like Carter, it is hard to argue with the result.
He may not have been quite the player he had been in his younger years, but he remained a key cog in the machine. Whether he would have been up to it without the break is questionable.
Centre Conrad Smith took opted to skip an end-of-year tour with the All Blacks, another who made it to be a key a player in 2015.
More recently it was announced Ben Smith will miss eight tests this year.
Is the Tutaia situation similar to these? Clearly netball does not have the physical impact as rugby.
However, staying in top shape remains important and Tutaia has been hampered by foot injuries in recent years.
A break, or at least managing her workload, could be timely in ensuring they have as little effect as possible.
She is around the same age as those All Blacks who took sabbaticals.
If the Silver Ferns have decided they definitely need to have her for 2019, then perhaps it is the best option.
The alternative may be risking having her below her best, or not having her at all.
It worked out for the All Blacks.
The only question is whether it would have worked out anyway.
