Netball New Zealand has granted Maria Folau a 12-month exemption, making her eligible to play for the Silver Ferns in 2019 despite no longer being contracted to a New Zealand Premiership team.
Shooter Folau has quit the Northern Mystics to live full-time in Australia.
The 31-year-old has been residing in Sydney since marrying Wallabies fullback Israel Folau last year, but travelled back to Auckland regularly to play for the Mystics.
Folau is part of the Silver Ferns squad to play the Australian Diamonds, South Africa's Proteas and England's Roses in next month's Netball Quad Series, starting on 15 September in Auckland.
It is unclear whether she'll continue her netball career in Australia.
Silver Ferns midcourter Laura Langman was recently granted the same exemption after not playing ANZ Premiership netball this year.
NNZ Board Chair Allison Ferguson said Folau's long and dedicated career as a Silver Fern, her personal circumstances, and her loyalty to the game here led to the exemption being granted.
"She has shown an unquestionable loyalty to Netball in New Zealand including both the Silver Ferns and SKYCITY Mystics," Ferguson said.
"It has been a tough season for Maria this year, now that she and her family live in Australia, travelling between the two countries to continue playing the game she has dedicated much of her life to.
"Maria's experience is really important to this young Silver Ferns squad moving forward. The NNZ Board believed granting her a 12-month exemption to be eligible for the Silver Ferns despite not being contracted to a NZ ANZ Premiership team would enable Maria to continue representing her country and mentor those new Silver Fern players coming through."
Folau, 31, has played 128 times for New Zealand since debuting in 2005.
The shooter has played in four Commonwealth Games, including winning two gold medals, and three Netball World Cups. She was also part of the NZU21 team which won the Netball World Youth Cup in Miami in 2005.
She played domestic netball for the Auckland Diamonds during the National Bank Cup before a brief stint with the Waikato-BOP Magic in the ANZ Championship and then moving home to join the Northern Mystics where she has been a regular ever since.
Folau has played for the Mystics since 2010 and has reflected on her time with the team.
"This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, I consider the Northern Mystics my netball family and this club will always hold a special place in my heart, but I feel the time is right for me to make a full time move to my new home in Sydney. My life and my family are now based outside of New Zealand, so my support networks have also shifted across the Tasman".
Mystics Head Coach Helene Wilson had nothing but praise for Folau, saying she had made a huge impact within the Northern Mystics environment.
"I have enjoyed watching Maria's netball journey over the years - growing into one of NZ's most iconic GA's. I am humbled to have worked with such a highly respected and influential person not only in the netball community but for all young woman in New Zealand.
"The passion and dedication she has brought to our team is special and she has been a pleasure to coach. We will miss her in our team, but she will always be a part of the Northern Mystics family and we wish her all the very best with her new in life Australia."