Trent Boult was included in the New Zealand squad for part of the upcoming Twenty20 series against Australia on Wednesday.
The development indicates that Boult is still in the plans for the World Cup in June.
Boult, who has seen a reduction in appearances in limited overs cricket for his country since moving off a central contract with New Zealand Cricket in 2022, will be available for the second and third match of the series.
However, Tim Southee will be rested after the first match in the series in Wellington on February 21 before he leads the Black Caps in two home Tests against Australia.
"Trent's got goals and ambitions to still be part of the T20 World Cup squad," coach Gary Stead said.
"We thought this fitted really nicely with Timmy playing the first one then having a little bit of a break before the test series and Trent coming in."
A weakened batting line-up will take the field in the T20 series with Kane Williamson out due to paternity leave and Daryl Mitchell absent with a foot injury. Both are expected to be available for the Test series.
Their absence led to inclusion of uncapped Josh Clarkson and his fellow all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, who impressed at last year's 50-overs World Cup and has made a successful return to Test cricket in the ongoing South Africa series.
"It's never ideal missing two of your best players for such a big series but we do have a lot of faith in the guys coming in," said selector Sam Wells.
"Josh hits the ball as long and as hard as anyone and ... Rachin's talent and class has been clear to all over the past six months."
The second and third matches in the series take place at Auckland's Eden Park on February 23 and 25.
Squad:
Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (Games two and three), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (Game one only)
- Trent Boult