Paceman Ben Sears will make his Test debut in Christchurch, but the Black Caps will leave open a final "seam versus spin" selection for the last place in their XI.
The 26-year-old Wellingtonian has jumped Scott Kuggeleijn in the pecking order and will play against Australia in the second Test, beginning at Hagley Oval on Friday.
Captain Tim Southee said the Lower Hutt product offered "real pace" and would likely be the quickest bowler of the series.