The union announced it has signed last year's captain, Michael Collins, for another year as well as with veteran prop Hisa Sasagi. Both these players have played more than 50 games for the province.
Key forwards in lock Josh Dickson and flanker Slade McDowall link with the union for another two years.
Dickson was one of the most impressive locks in the domestic competition last year, bringing up 50 games Otago while McDowall was one of the best loose forwards in the competition. He failed to gain a Super Rugby contract which was hard to believe after such an outstanding 2019 season. He is still training with the Highlanders.
Also signed for the coming season under new coach Tom Donnelly are props Jonah Aoina, George Bower and Saule Ma'u, locks Joketani Koroi and Sione Misoloi, loose forwards James Lentjes and Dylan Nel, hookers Ricky Jackson and Liam Coltman, halfback Kayne Hammington, inside back Josh Ioane, midfielders Sio Tomkinson and Matt Whaanga and outside backs Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki.