An Air New Zealand Cup switch to Auckland is still possible for Dan Carter as he makes good progress from an Achilles injury.

Carter arrived back in New Zealand on Thursday after watching his French side Perpignan snap a 54-year drought in the French Top 14 competition by beating Clermont 22-13 in the final a week ago.

The All Black first five-eighths only managed five games before a partial rupture of his Achilles tendon in early February ended his season but he remained in Perpignan during his rehabilitation.

The 27-year-old was told he would be out for rugby for up to six months. Four months since sustaining the injury in a 13-all draw with Stade Francais, Carter is happy with the way his recovery is going.

"I'm back running now," Carter said.

"I've been back running now for about a month, I'm up to consistent running for up to 20 minutes and doing other stuff but I'm still missing some real power and bounce off my injured foot.

"I'll be working hard over the next few weeks to get that back."

A likely return to the field is due around early August, although Carter admits it will be too soon to reclaim an All Black jersey and stand up straight away to the demands of the Tri Nations.

While he is not looking too far ahead, a place on the end of year tour to Europe is the ultimate goal.

In the meantime, he is set to break an Air New Zealand Cup hiatus along with possible game time in club rugby.

Speculation has been rife as to whether Carter will continue to play for Canterbury or turn for Auckland, where he is based at the moment.

"I've not thought about it too much since I've been over in France. I've been pretty busy over there," Carter said.

"I'm flying down to Dunedin tomorrow for the Test match, also to catch up with my management group and talk about what they've been doing over the last couple of weeks.

"I haven't actually talked about it with my management yet. It's something we're going to discuss tomorrow.

"Christchurch is still the place I hold close to my heart but I'm living here in Auckland. When it comes to rugby Canterbury and the Crusaders have given me so much, so I'm juggling which place is home."

His home for the past six months, Perpignan, has seen Carter add to a lengthy list of achievements with a Top 14 title and he is already a local hero for the role he played in the drought-breaking season.

"It was unreal - something that I'll remember for the rest of my life," he said.

"It was a great experience for me, although I would have loved to be more part of it but I still felt I was part of the team.

"It was a real honour for me because I felt like I let them down a bit with my injury and couldn't contribute more, but with the bonds and friendships I made was very special and hopefully they'll continue."

His time on the French scene has exposed Carter to the best of the country's talent and he feels they will be a worthy opponent in the two-Test series starting in Dunedin tomorrow night.

"They're obviously missing some key players that were involved in the final last weekend, but still a lot of great players, a lot of talented and experienced players," he said.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for the All Blacks but I think they'll be all right.

"The first Test of the year from my experience is always a big occasion and there's a few new faces.

"There's also a mix of experience there so I still think there's a balance even though there're a lot of people missing.

"Everyone out there has been given an opportunity and they'll really want to push for their position for the season and keep that All Black jersey.

"With that chance and desire I think they'll play well."