"That's the good thing about provincial rugby. You can play anywhere and still be available for a Super 15 franchise," Lynn told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
He has been a key member of the Southland ITM Cup team since 2006 and has played 61 games for the Stags.
Lynn (29) and his wife, Rebecca, will relocate to Papamoa in time for the national championship.
"We were looking for a change and are excited about moving to Bay of Plenty," he said.
"They have had a good team over the last few years and play exciting rugby.
"We were looking to get into a new environment and find a new challenge. But it has been a tough call, leaving Southland."
Other players from the Highlanders squad playing for Bay of Plenty are Chris Noakes, Bronson Murray and Culum Retallick.
Lynn grew up on a farm at Mangakino, in South Waikato, and was educated at St Peter's College, in Cambridge.
"We have a lot of family and friends in that area and it was a good opportunity to get back up there," he said.
"We have a family home at Papamoa."
Lynn was originally looking at an overseas contract but a serious neck injury in a pre-season game for the Highlanders ruled out that option.
The injury limited Lynn's game time for the Highlanders this year but the neck has healed stronger than it was before the accident and he is confident about his rugby future.
Lynn played at centre for Southland both times when it lifted the Ranfurly Shield from Canterbury.
He was approached by Bay of Plenty and after some deliberation with his wife, as to where he would go, he agreed to make the move north, instead of returning to Invercargill.
Lynn played for University A when he was a student at the University of Otago and turned out for the students in a few games during the Super 15 competition.
