New Zealand dates Zimbabwe from January 26-30 in Napier

New Zealand have announced home series against South Africa and Zimbabwe early next year.

Whangarei's Cobham Oval will host its first international match, the second one-day international against the Zimbabweans, while Dunedin's University Oval returns to the circuit following redevelopment to host the first game of that series and the first of three Tests against the Proteas.

The schedule begins with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe from January 26-30 in Napier, followed by ODIs on February 3, 6 and 9 and Twenty20 internationals on February 12 and 14.

The action in the shortest format continues with three games against South Africa between February 17 and 22, followed by ODIs on February 25 and 29 and March 3 and three Tests, with the Dunedin games starting on March 7, the second Test at Hamilton from March 15 and the third beginning on March 23 at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

The fixtures are the first since Ross Taylor was confirmed as the Black Caps' new captain and he said: "It will be a very challenging summer of international cricket and we are looking forward to taking on South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in front of our fans.

"South Africa are currently ranked second in the world Test rankings so the three-Test series against them will be an excellent gauge of our progress."