The 52-year-old returned to New Zealand this year leaving Scotland after just one season in charge at Hughenden.
Searancke said he was excited by the opportunity ahead with Poverty Bay. "The Air New Zealand NPC is a very rewarding competition and I'm looking forward to getting back into it," Searancke said.
"It's going to be a great challenge preparing for games against unions, some of whom I've never really had an association with previously."
Searancke has also coached Waikato, the New Zealand Youth and Chiefs Colts as well as being a NZRU staff coach. This year he assisted Jed Rowlands in preparing the Black Ferns for their test series against the World XV.