The Kiwis open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Australia in Sydney on October 15. The final is scheduled for Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on November 15.
Stacey Jones selected 23 players, combining last year's Pacific Championships winners with new talent including Kalyn Ponga, Jahrome Hughes and Dane Gagai.
Ponga, Gagai and Warriors teammates Jacob Laban and Tanner Stowers-Smith could make their Kiwis debuts. Ponga pledged allegiance to New Zealand after eligibility-rule changes, while the International Rugby League board approved Gagai's switch.
Captain James Fisher-Harris leads the squad, with Naufahu Whyte and Erin Clark also selected.
The squad includes Erin Clark, James Fisher-Harris, Dane Gagai, Jahrome Hughes, Jamayne Isaako, Keano Kini, Jacob Laban, Moses Leota, Jeremy Marshall-King, Te Maire Martin, Casey McLean and Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Also selected are Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Briton Nikora, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiah Papali'i, Kalyn Ponga, Scott Sorensen, Tanner Stowers-Smith, Joseph Tapine, Leo Thompson, Naufahu Whyte and Xavier Willison.
After the opener, New Zealand faces the Cook Islands in Christchurch and Fiji on the Gold Coast.