"There is a strong core of players that have come through the England system over recent years and have the desire, appetite and quality to do English Rugby League proud in this tournament.
"We are fully aware that we will need to work exceptionally hard and play to a very high level to win the tournament.
"Our aim is to win our first home series against southern hemisphere opposition since Great Britain defeated New Zealand in 2007."
Six players - South Sydney Rabbitohs' George Burgess, St Helens' Alex Walmsley, Leeds' Stevie Ward, Brisbane Broncos' Jack Reed, Warrington's Stefan Ratchford and Wigan's Joel Tomkins - were unavailable through injury.
The Kiwis are also understrength, with usual captain Simon Mannering (illness), Shaun Johnson (ankle), Kieran Foran (elbow), Thomas Leuluai (knee) and Jason Taumalolo (knee) all out of action.
England begin their campaign with a warm-up match against France at Headingley Stadium on Friday, October 23, before meeting the Kiwis in a three-test series, with games scheduled at Hull's KC Stadium, the Olympic Stadium in London and Wigan's DW Stadium throughout November.
England's 24-man squad: John Bateman, Joe Burgess (both Wigan), Tom Burgess (South Sydney), Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra Dragons), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield), Ben Currie (Warrington), Liam Farrell (Wigan), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield), Luke Gale (Castleford), James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ryan Hall, Zak Hardaker (both Leeds), Chris Hill (Warrington), Josh Hodgson (Canberra), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield), Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan), James Roby (St Helens), Matty Smith (Wigan), Sam Tomkins (New Zealand Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds), Ben Westwood (Warrington), Elliott Whitehead (Catalans), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan).