Hesson has been named to coach the A team, which is to tour Australia and India over the next two months.
The team's selection was delayed while the future of Pakistan's Champions Trophy was in doubt over security fears.
That tournament has been postponed until next year.
The A side has an Otago management team, with Glenn Turner named as manager of the A side.
Otago players who have made the team include batsmen Neil Broom and Aaron Redmond, and all-rounder Nathan McCullum.
Left-armer Bradley Scott has also been picked for the side, but he has left Otago and will play for Northern Districts next season.
New Zealand coach John Bracewell said players were selected with an eye to the future.
"We have taken the opportunity to assemble a team of emerging talent and players who will benefit from the experience of touring and playing in Australia and India.
"The tour is helping to build the experience of these players and is part of a programme to build greater depth at the international level."
The team leaves on Friday for Brisbane where it will play warm-up matches against the Queensland Bulls before heading to India next week for a one-day tri-series against India A and Australia A.
Northern districts left-arm paceman Trent Boult is the surprising selection in the side, having just turned 19, and yet to play first-class cricket.
The New Zealanders will then stay on for two first class matches against India A.
Black Caps Jeetan Patel and Mark Gillespie will take part in the one-day matches while Iain O'Brien joins the team for the first-class games.
Canterbury coach Dave Norsworthy coached the team last year, with Hesson accompanying him.
Hesson's selection is another feather in an already bulging coaching cap.
He has been the Otago Cricket Association's coaching director, coached Otago A, Otago under-19 and English minor county Cambridgeshire.
Hesson, in his mid-30s, also coached the Argentina national side in 2004.
He has coached Otago for three years.
Neither Hesson nor Turner could be contacted yesterday. - Additional reporting by NZPA.
New Zealand A team: Brent Arnel, Neil Broom, Grant Elliott, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Martin Guptill, Greg Hay, Nathan McCullum, James Marshall, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel, Trent Boult, Aaron Redmond, Bradley Scott, Reece Young, BJ Watling.
