"This is an exciting time for all those involved in this special team.
"We're delighted with the squad we have announced today - we think there's an incredible mix of experience and very wise heads, and a special crop of new talent that has been exciting to watch in action in Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup.
"This team continues to be an important opportunity for players looking to push for higher honours.
"We are particularly delighted for Rieko Ioane who was named for the first time with the All Blacks on Sunday - and he joins several Maori All Blacks who have earned a call-up to the All Blacks in recent years - Nehe Milner Skudder, Codie Taylor, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Joe Moody, Brad Weber, Elliot Dixon, Liam Squire, Damian McKenzie and last year's skipper Charlie Ngatai currently unavailable due to concussion."
Ash Dixon will take over from Ngatai in the captain's role.
"We continue to work closely with the All Blacks coaches to ensure that we are aligned and these selections demonstrate the strength of the Maori All Blacks as a high performance team.
"It's also good that both teams are in Chicago and the United Kingdom at the same time, so that we can retain that alignment," Cooper said.
"We are looking forward to heading to Chicago to play the USA Eagles. Playing any national side is an honour, and they're a team that's really cementing their place in international rugby.
"Our matches against Munster and Harlequins will also be very special as we love taking the Maori All Blacks' style of rugby to other countries."
Five players still involved in Mitre 10 Cup finals will join the squad in Auckland after their matches this weekend.
The 2016 Maori All Blacks squad is (* denotes new cap):
Leni Apisai* - Wellington, Ngati Awa
Tim Bateman - Canterbury, Ngai Tahu
Otere Black - Manawatu, Ngai Tuhoe / Te Whanau a Apanui / Ngati Tuwharetoa
Shane Christie - Tasman, Te Ati Haunui a Paparangi / Ngati Kurawhatia
Ash Dixon, captain - Hawke's Bay, Ngati Tahinga
Whetu Douglas* - Waikato, Ngati Porou / Ngati Whakaue
Jason Emery - Manawatu, Ngati Haua / Ngati Maniapoto
Chris Eves - Manawatu, Waikato / Tainui
Tom Franklin - Otago, Ngati Maniapoto
Billy Guyton* - Tasman, Ngapuhi / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Raukawa
Kane Hames - Tasman, Ngai Tuhoe / Ngati Porou
Akira Ioane - Auckland, Ngapuhi / Te Whanau a Apanui
Mike Kainga - Taranaki, Ngati Kahungunu
James Lowe - Tasman, Ngapuhi / Ngai Te Rangi
Ben May - Hawke's Bay, Ngati Maniapoto
Marty McKenzie - Taranaki, Ngati Tuwharetoa / Ngati Tahinga
Leighton Price* - Taranaki, Waikato / Ngati Maniapoto
Reed Prinsep* - Canterbury, Te Rarawa
Matt Proctor - Wellington, Ngai Te Rangi / Ngapuhi
Kara Pryor* - Northland, Ngati Awa / Ngati Pikiao / Ngati Rangitihi
Marcel Renata - Auckland, Ngati Whanaunga / Te Aupouri
Joe Royal - Bay of Plenty, Te Arawa / Ngati Whatua o Orakei / Ngapuhi
Jacob Skeen - Waikato, Ngapuhi
Sean Wainui - Taranaki, Ngai Tuhoe / Te Aitanga a Mahaki / Nga Arikikaiputahi / Ngati Porou
Brad Weber - Hawke's Bay, Ngati Porou
Ihaia West - Hawke's Bay, Ngati Kahungunu / Ngati Porou
One more name is to be added.
Maori All Blacks 2016 Match schedule
Friday, November 4 v USA Eagles, Toyota Park, Chicago
Friday, November 11 v Munster, Thomond Park, Limerick
Wednesday, November 16 v Harlequins, Twickenham Stoop, London
