Doug Bracewell has been named for his test return, while Henry Nicholls has kept his place as the Blackcaps have lost the toss and been asked to bat first against Sri Lanka at the Basin Reserve.
Bracewell, 32, comes into the XI for his first test since August 2016 - when the Blackcaps lost to South Africa at Centurion.
The all-rounder will bat at No.8, and takes the place of Neil Wagner, who suffered knee and back injuries in New Zealand's victory in Christchurch.
So far this season, Bracewell has taken 23 wickets in the Plunket Shield for Central Districts at an average of just over 20, to go with 225 runs at just over 28.
Bracewell has played 27 tests for the Blackcaps, taking 72 wickets at an average of 38.83, and best figures of 6/40 to bowl New Zealand to victory against Australia at Hobart in 2011.
His selection also sees Bracewell combine with cousin Michael, who'll bat at No.7 and provide New Zealand's frontline spin option with the ball.
Elsewhere, batter Henry Nicholls keeps his spot, despite a lean run of form that's seen him not pass 40 since 105 against South Africa in February 2022.
Will Young was released to play for Central Districts in between tests, but only made 11 and 18 with the bat in the Stags' six wicket victory over Canterbury.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have also made one change, handing a test debut to wicketkeeper Nishan Madushka.
In 38 first class games, Madushka has scored more than 3000 runs at an average of more than 61, with a career high-score of 300 not out.
Victory in Wellington will see the Blackcaps take the series 2-0, in what would be a first victory of the current World Test Championship cycle.
NZ: 1-Tom Latham, 2-Devon Conway, 3-Kane Williamson, 4-Henry Nicholls, 5-Daryl Mitchell, 6-Tom Blundell (wk), 7-Michael Bracewell, 8-Doug Bracewell, 9-Tim Southee (c), 10-Matt Henry, 11-Blair Tickner
Sri Lanka: 1-Oshadad Fernando, 2-Dimuth Karunaratne (c), 3-Kusal Mendis, 4-Angelo Mathews, 5-Dinesh Chandimal, 6-Dhananjaya de Silva, 7-Nishan Madushka (wk), 8-Kasun Rajitha, 9-Asitha Fernando, 10-Prabath Jayasuriya, 11-Lahiru Kumara
