The Black Caps will play Zimbabwe in a one-day international at the ground on February 3 and will return to the city to play South Africa in the first test beginning on March 7.
The University Oval was out of commission for most of last summer while work was done to improve the drainage and expand the playing surface, and a new pitch block was laid.
The decision to schedule two games at the picturesque ground comes with an element of risk. Of concern is the performance of the pitch, which is still bedding in.
NZC operations manager Tim Murdoch acknowledged the national body would continue to monitor the situation but was confident the pitch would meet the required standard.
"We are obviously going to try to schedule a pretty early game of domestic cricket at the venue and see that as a pretty important game," he said.
"We will monitor the performance of the pitch in that game. But we are confident, given the time frame we are working under, that it will perform to a good standard."
Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes shares Murdoch's confidence.
"I have no doubt that it will perform up to scratch," he said.
"What we are hoping for is a pitch which will provide consistent bounce and some decent pace. All the research that has gone in to the type of clay we are using suggests that we have the right ingredients.
"So I wouldn't want to over-dramatise the situation because we don't want to look back at what people have said about it; we want to look forward and produce a good pitch."
There have been two first-class games on the new pitch and the results were a little frightening if you are a batsman. Otago beat Auckland by 10 wickets after the visiting side collapsed to be all out for 46 in its first innings.
In the other match, Otago was dismissed for 147 and Central Districts replied with 222 before poor weather ruined any chance of a result.
The Black Caps will host Zimbabwe in one test, three one-day internationals and two twenty/20 fixtures in January and February.
South Africa starts its tour in Wellington on February 17 with the first of three twenty/20 games. The Proteas will also play three one-dayers and three tests against the Black Caps.
Whangarei's Cobham Oval will host its first international when New Zealand plays a one-dayer there against Zimbabwe on February 6.
Newly appointed captain Ross Taylor welcomed yesterday's announcement.
"It will be a very challenging summer of international cricket and we are looking forward to taking on South Africa and Zimbabwe at home in front of our fans," he said in a press release.
"South Africa is currently ranked second in world test rankings so the three-test series against them will be an excellent gauge of our progress."
Zimbabwe's tour will be their first to New Zealand since 2005. The Labour Government banned such tours in protest against Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe.
