Carter, 29, today signed a four year deal with the NZRU which will see him stay with the All Blacks and Crusaders until after the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
"I was really happy with the New Zealand Rugby Union and what they offered in terms of contract, having a lot of flexibility in that contract as well," Carter told TV ONE's Close Up.
"Having signed four years is a long time and a lot can happen in that four years so to have that flexibility is great and having a few lucrative deals overseas didn't make the decision any easier."
So although the deals from abroad were ringing loudly in Carter's ears it was family and the Black jersey that drove the answer home for the star pivot.
"Obviously you can earn a lot more overseas, but you have to come back and take a look at what's driving you," he said.
"Money's not the one and only thing driving me, loyalty is a big part. Also the lifestyle here in New Zealand, it's home, it's where my family are. It's the right decision."
A good loyal decision, but not a bad decision financially as well for Carter, as adding up his sponsorship deals with Adidas and Jockey along with his proposed sabbaticals overseas will bring him past the $2 million mark per year.
ONE News rugby reporter Andrew Saville today said the NZRU's contract that has been six months in the making was the clincher to keep New Zealand's first choice number ten at home.
"I think it's the fact the NZRU came up with a very flexible deal over four years and that he will take the sabbatical back to France," he said.
"That's what I'm hearing, possibly in 18 months' time. That money will top up the NZRU's contract. It is a four-year deal, I'd imagine both parties have out clauses just in case after two years Carter may want to head overseas permanently."
Carter says that right now he isn't even thinking about that part of the contract and he's just happy to concentrate on the task ahead that is the All Blacks' 2011 Rugby World Cup hopes.
"I have got that in the contract, but I haven't thought a lot about it. it's not something I'm thinking about, I'm really happy playing and living in New Zealand at the moment," Carter said.
Asked by Close Up whether or not he would like to be a part of the 2015 World Cup that he is signed right till the end of, Carter said he is taking nothing for granted.
"A lot can happen in four years, but if I'm still playing good rugby and enjoying my time and the body holds up it will be great."
"My All Black position, I never take that for granted. We've got alot of young talent coming through in the next couple of years, they're going to be in their prime. There's still a lot of competition for my position."
The playing sum is just the base of it for Carter with his sports brands and third parties taking him to seven figures per year, a sum former All Black first five Grant Fox believes is worth it.
"It's just important that we've resigned a guy of Daniel's stature, when were losing so many players to overseas," said Fox.
Carter is still behind the likes of Tiger Woods and David Beckham or even New Zealand's own Russell Coutts who still rakes in an eight figure sum per annum, but staying in Red and Black is the biggest deal for Carter himself.
"The Black Jersey means a lot to me and that's probably the underlying reason for staying," he told Close Up.
"It means a lot to me and the more I thought about playing overseas and not being able to represent my country, it was pretty challenging so that's a big reason for me staying."
"It's been really tough. One day I was keen to go, the other I wanted to stay. I think I made the right decision, no doubt in that and really happy and excited."
Carter is understood to have knocked back deals from cashed up European clubs, one from French side Racing Metro was reported to be worth $4.8 million for three years.
Playing overseas will still be an option for Carter with NZRU CEO Steve Tew confirming they had "thought outside the square" to secure him.
"We believe that the contract is a reflection of the high standing that Dan has in the game both here and overseas. We have been very flexible in our approach, which again shows how important we think Dan is to the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby.
"As an example, we have built in options for Dan to take an extended break from the game if he so wishes - whether that's to take a break from rugby or play overseas - and he will discuss that with us at the right time."
Carter has played 79 Tests for the All Blacks, making his debut against Wales in Hamilton in 2003.
He was named the IRB player of the year in 2005 after staring in the 3-0 sweep against the British and Irish Lions.
In 2009 he broke the All Blacks' all time record point scoring record, overtaking Andrew Mehrtens' mark of 967 points.
In the first Test of the 2010 season, against Ireland in New Plymouth, he became just fourth player in history of the game to score 1000 Test points and then, in the final Test of the 2010 season against Wales at Millennium Stadium, Carter overtook England's Jonny Wilkinson to become Test rugby's all time leading points scorer.
Source http://tvnz.co.nz/
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