Fast bowlers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson will return to the Blackcaps' ranks, after being named in the 15-strong group for the five-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan.
Neither Henry nor Ferguson have played for New Zealand since the Cricket World Cup in India.
Henry, 32, hasn't taken the field since the Blackcaps' loss to South Africa in Pune where he suffered a hamstring injury, but will turn out for Canterbury in the Super Smash to gain match fitness.
Since his international debut in 2014, Henry has played just 13 Twenty20 Internationals, with his last coming in September last year.
In those 13 games, Henry has taken 15 wickets at an average of just over 24.
Meanwhile, Ferguson was an absentee from last months limited over series against Bangladesh, after also battling an Achilles injury.
The 32-year-old has only been named for games three, four and five of the series, with Ben Sears to be with the squad for the opening two matches.
Henry and Ferguson's involvement comes with Kyle Jamieson left out with a hamstring injury, with coach Gary Stead already having made clear his priorities will be returning to full fitness to face South Africa in two tests at the start of February.
Trent Boult is also unavailable, and will instead play for Mumbai Indians Emirates in the UAE's International League T20.
Jimmy Neesham is another absentee, and will instead play for Pretoria Capitals in South Africa's domestic SA20 domestic competition.
Elsewhere, captain Kane Williamson returns from the management of a knee injury suffered at the start of 2023, but will be rested for game three in Dunedin with an eye on his workload.
Devon Conway returns to the squad after also sitting out of the Bangladesh tour, named as one of two wicketkeepers alongside Tim Seifert.
Rachin Ravindra has been rested after his breakthrough finish to 2023, while Michael Bracewell wasn't considered as he comes back from an Achilles injury, but will likely make his return in the Super Smash for Wellington.
Blackcaps squad: Kane Williamson (games 1, 2, 4, 5), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson (game 3), Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson (games 3, 4, 5), Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears (games 1, 2), Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee
