Fast bowler Trent Boult will also miss the first of two Tests against the Proteas as the Kiwis look to respond to their drawn series against Bangladesh
Williamson ruled out of South Africa Test series
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson will miss the two-match Test series against South Africa later this month after failing to recover in time from a long-standing elbow injury.
Tom Latham, who skippered in the recent series with Bangladesh – which 31-year-old Williamson also missed – will again lead the team.
Allrounder Colin de Grandhomme and opener Hamish Rutherford have been recalled in a 15-man squad for the opening Test.
Uncapped pair wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher and fast bowler Blair Tickner were also named.
Seamer Trent Boult is unavailable as he awaits the birth of his third child.
The first Test starts at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on February 17.
"(Kane) was desperate to be fit for the series but with the amount of loading required for Test cricket, we had to make the tough call ... and focus on returning for the white-ball matches against Netherlands in March," said Kiwi head coach Gary Stead.
"It's important to remember this squad is just for the first Test so we do have flexibility to make changes as required, with the likes of Trent and Ajaz [Patel] potentially available for the second," added Stead.
South Africa's squad is headline by off-spinner Simon Harmer, who last played for the Proteas in 2015 before taking up a Kolpak deal to play in English county cricket.
Harmer followed Duanne Olivier and Wayne Parnell in returning to the national set-up after Brexit forced the end of the Kolpak system that had seen many South Africans choose to play professionally in England.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje will also miss the tour due to injury.
New Zealand squad (first Test): Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Will Young.
South Africa squad: Dean Elgar (c), Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne