The search for a replacement Taniwha head coach adds further strain to Northland Rugby's coaching woes, given they also lost former assistant coach George Konia to a rugby club in Japan last December.
"We've had to pour cold water over that role at the moment," Parkinson said.
The person to come in as head coach would have the ultimate say in Taniwha gameplan and strategy as well as managing internal and external relationships, Parkinson said.
"We've got to be pragmatic. I never dictated to Derren what gameplan to play.
"But they [Taniwha] usually play an exciting brand of rugby, they like to have a crack."
While new beginnings in the coaching division are imminent after Witcombe's strong term as head coach, Parkinson admits there will be no preference given to the locality or nationality of the role's new appointee, though some of the applications received over the weekend were of a Northland pedigree.
"We just want the best candidate possible," Parkinson said.
"If it's the right person, then ideally they should be able to fill the relationships required."
The selection panel will consist of Parkinson, Northland Rugby chairman Ajit Balasingham and former Northland coaching guru Bryce Woodward.
Whether the Northland Rugby Union would call on the aid of the Blues Super Rugby franchise or the New Zealand Rugby Union selection expertise is to be confirmed.
Applications for the role close on March 6.
