Like incoming coach Jono Gibbes, Hoeata is a former Chief, and the pair worked together with the NZ U-20s side.
Gibbes said Hoeata is a great asset for the Chiefs.
"He is a technically proficient, confident coach, a great technician around the lineout and really passionate about his craft.
"The expertise and passion for what he does will create great learning conditions for our players."
Hoeata made his first-class debut for Canterbury in 2005 while at the Crusaders Academy, but returned to Taranaki in 2006 for an 82-game career that ended its first stage in 2014. He played the 2010 season with the Chiefs in his first year of Super Rugby, and in 2011 he switched to the Highlanders, making 53 appearances between 2011 and 2014.
He headed to Wales to play 62 games for the Cardiff Blues until 2017, when he returned to New Zealand and played 10 games for North Harbour in the NPC. He had five appearances for Montpellier in France in 2017 before playing nine games between 2018-20 back in Taranaki.
Hoeata played 10 games for the Māori All Blacks between 2007-17 and made three Test appearances in 2011.
He said he felt fortunate to return to the Chiefs.
"It's somewhere I've always wanted to come back to, so having this opportunity feels really special.
"It's been great reconnecting with Jono and some of the players I've coached and played with over the years, as well as building on the existing relationships, particularly with the Taranaki boys. It's making my job a lot more seamless coming in."
Hoeata has been working as an assistant coach for six seasons with Taranaki, including their 2023 Bunnings NPC title win.
He joins Roger Rangle, David Hill, Graham Dewes and Marty Bourke as assistant coaches.
It was also announced that former National Basketball League manager Huw Beynon has been appointed team manager.
