The 30-year-old all-rounder singled out his opposite, Mohammad Yousuf, for special praise ahead of the first test, starting at the University Oval today, and said managing Pakistan's spin attack would be one of the keys to the series.
"They've got a very balanced batting line-up and they've got one of the greatest batsmen of the modern generation in Mohammad Yousuf," Vettori said.
The bowling attack, though, does not contain some of the great names of the past.
Waqar Younis, for example, haunted the Black Caps during his career.
While Umar Gul and Mohammad Asif are quality bowlers, Vettori is confident his side will be equal to the challenge.
"They've got some good bowlers, there is no doubt about that.
"Whilst they might not have the experience of previous Pakistan teams, they've certainly got a high skill level.
"For us to do well we have to manage them and manage [Saeed] Ajmal or [Danish] Kaneria, whoever plays out of those two."
Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam confirmed Ajmal would play ahead of Kaneria.
Both sides will go into the match with six specialist batsmen and four bowlers.
It is hard to imagine, with all the time Jacob Oram has spent on the sideline injured, but his retirement from test cricket has had a big impact on the Black Caps order.
With likely replacement James Franklin pulling up lame last week, the selectors opted for an extra batsman.
"We are only going in with four bowlers and we really need to make sure that those four bowlers step up," Vettori said.
"In the past we've had a little bit of a luxury with the all-rounder but this time around everyone has to step up and do their job."
Shane Bond and Chris Martin will likely open the bowling, with either Daryl Tuffey or Iain O'Brien in the third seamer role.
That will leave the skipper to carry a heavy workload.
He took a blow on the elbow while training on Sunday and is managing a shoulder injury, which will probably need surgery.
He did not look to be throwing the ball freely during a training session yesterday but dismissed suggestions he was not fit.
Wellington all-rounder Grant Elliott is unlikely to lighten his load, either.
The South African-born player has a niggly knee injury and will only bowl if the Black Caps are in desperate need.
It will be Bond's first test in two years.
The strike bowler returned to international cricket this season after a stint with the rebel Indian Cricket League.
He found some good rhythm for Canterbury in a four-day match against Otago last week.
Tuffey could also make his first appearance in test cricket for more than five years if he gets the nod over O'Brien.
The Black Caps have been without a coach since Andy Moles was vanquished in October.
Despite being rudderless, stand-in coach Vettori said the team was "running pretty smoothly".
"We've been lucky to have the services of Saqlain [Mushtaq] and John Wright, and they've filled in really well and have added their expertise."
The match will be played under the umpire decision review system, which means the captains will be allowed to refer umpiring decisions to a third official.
Teams are allowed two unsuccessful challenges per innings.
Vettori supported the review system as long as it was used as an instrument to get rid of the worst decisions, rather than challenge the 50/50 calls which he believed the on-field umpire should make.
The traditionally bowler-friendly University Oval pitch got the approval from both captains.
Vettori indicated New Zealand would bat if the sun was out but Yousuf was not prepared to go that far.
Alam said it looked like a good pitch but he suspected the ball would seam around for a few hours today.
