"We're going to look local first," said Witcombe. "There's going to be some holes to fill ... For certain positions we may need to look elsewhere, but we're going to look local first.
"If we do have to drag someone in, we're going to make sure that in our opinion they are far better than anyone in the region.
"If we've got someone on par, we'll just contract a local boy. We want to build a bit of passion."
Witcombe used first-five as an example for needing to look outside the region as Northland had lost the services of Ash Moeke to France.
He added the Taniwha B team would be made up of solely local players who could then make the step up to ITM Cup level if needed.
"We pick, if we have injuries, from the Bs," Witcombe said in a matter-of-fact way. "We won't be calling up Auckland or Harbour or anyone else in the country saying we need a player. We'll be looking at the Bs.
"We want to create a pathway to get into the ITM Cup team. Ideally, in three years' team everyone will be playing here locally."
Konia added that while the ITM Cup was a focus, it was also about reconnecting with the rugby community and educating players about who they played for and what they represented.
"[We're hoping to be] picking players on performance and players that have got Cambridge blue running, pumping through their veins," Konia said.
"Those guys are going to be, we feel, giving 100 per cent when we're under the pump in certain situations of the game instead of bringing mercenaries in from outside [the region]."
As part of turning the clock back on Taniwha rugby, Witcombe and Konia will ensure Northland training is in the afternoons so local players have more of chance of holding down a job during the ITM Cup season.
While Witcombe's transition to head coach is no surprise, he was surprised to have ended up in a coaching box.
"I never thought I would be coaching the Taniwha when I was playing," Witcombe said. "I guess my career finishing prematurely [was why Witcombe got into coaching].
"I didn't even see coaching as an option, really, when I was playing. [After Witcombe suffered a serious neck injury in 2007], I stayed with Auckland and they asked me to stay on and help out with their front row, scrum and stuff like that, and be part of the team.
"Then, they sort of coerced me into coaching Auckland Colts the following year and I sort of enjoyed it."
Following his tenure with the Auckland Colts, Witcombe took up a two-year contract in Japan, where, in 2009, he met Konia, who was also coaching in Osaka.
NRU chief executive officer Jeremy Parkinson described the coaching duo as having a good synergy and said Witcombe was a perfect example for aspiring Taniwha players.
"Born and bred Northland boy," Parkinson said. "Grew up in Taipa Bay, went to Taipa Bay Area School, Pompallier Catholic College, played club rugby for Mangonui, Whangarei, made Northland, was ITM Cup assistant coach, [and now head coach].
"He is the perfect example of a career path in rugby for a young kid in Northland, one as a player, two as a coach, so we're hugely excited about that."
The Taniwha have begun pre-season training, with weekly training required for contracted players and selected club rugby players being invited to join in.
Northland's first game is a Ranfurly Shield match against Waikato on August 17.
