They are missing legspinner Ish Sodhi and batsman Dean Brownlie, on New Zealand A duty against Sri Lanka, and the injured Corey Anderson and Anton Devcich.
"We are going into the summer with the goal of three national trophies in our cabinet," ND coach James Pamment said, doubtless echoing the sentiments of his five rivals around the country.
Wellington have wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Ronchi, but look lean elsewhere. They also have a new coach, former international and recent national selector Bruce Edgar.
Auckland will have opener Martin Guptill for what is likely to be a rare first-class outing this summer, and limited-overs fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan, and start their campaign against the one team who finished ahead of them last season, Canterbury, at Eden Park No2 today.
Auckland finished second in all three domestic competitions last season, a situation captain Rob Nicol is keen to improve on.
"To make two finals (50-over Ford Trophy, T20 Georgie Pie Super Smash) and not get across the line was pretty disappointing for everyone," he said.
"There are good things about three twos, but you don't want to be first loser, which is what you are."
Last season Auckland got off on a tear, with impressive wins over ND and Wellington, but fell just seven points behind Canterbury, who have test opener Tom Latham and seamer Matt Henry in their 12.
Among those looking to step up for Auckland this season will be 22-year-old seamer Matt Quinn.
Preparing for his fourth first-class season, he started last summer with a roar, snaring 19 wickets at 14 apiece in the first three games before injury struck.
No regular batsman averaged more last season than Brad Cachopa's 71, while Colin Munro - absent for the first round - was third best on aggregates with 899, surpassed only by Wellington's Stephen Murdoch (998) and highly promising CD batsman Will Young (909).
Central Districts, with Ross Taylor and Doug Bracewell from the test group, host Otago in Napier. The visitors have Hamish Rutherford, Jimmy Neesham and Mark Craig on show.
Plunket Shield teams, Round 1, 10.30am
Auckland v Canterbury, Eden Park:
Auckland: Rob Nicol (c), Martin Guptill, Brad Cachopa, Robbie O'Donnell, Michael Guptill-Bunce, Colin de Grandhomme, Donovan Grobbelaar, Tarun Nethula, Matt Quinn, Michael Bates, Shawn Hicks, Mitchell McClenaghan.
Canterbury: Peter Fulton (c), Tom Latham, Ronnie Hira, Ken McClure, Leo Carter, Andrew Ellis, Cam Fletcher, Logan van Beek, Cole McConchie, Ryan McCone, Matt Henry, Theo van Woerkom.
Northern Districts v Wellington, Hamilton
ND: Daniel Flynn (c), Joe Carter, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, BJ Watling, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Jono Boult, Scott Kuggeleijn, Bharat Popli, James Baker, Trent Boult.
Wellington: Michael Papps (c), Michael Pollard, Craig Cachopa, Stephen Murdoch, Tom Blundell, Luke Ronchi, Luke Woodcock, Jeetan Patel, Dane Hutchinson, Brent Arnel, Anurag Verma, Matt McEwan.
Central Districts v Otago, Napier:
CD: Kruger van Wyk (c), Ben Smith, George Worker, Ross Taylor, Will Young, Tom Bruce, Greg Hay, Josh Clarkson, Blair Tickner, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Mathieson, Ajaz Patel.
Otago: Hamish Rutherford (c), Brad Wilson, Neil Broom, Jimmy Neesham, Sam Wells, Dion Lobb, Jack Hunter, Michael Rae, Adam Miles, Mark Craig, Ryan Duffy, Nick Beard.
