The squad will prepare for two home matches against world champion Australia in September and three against England in October.
There are two other newcomers, with former Otago Rebel Anna Thompson and Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic defender Jodi Tod also getting the call-up.
Steel defender Katrina Grant was added to the squad earlier this year and retained her spot after some impressive performances.
Steel shooter Daneka Wipiiti also retained her place but Steel midcourter Debbie White was dropped from the team.
White, arguably, began the ANZ Championship as the Steel's leading wing defence but as the season progressed she was shaded by Burgess and Telfer, who enjoyed more court time.
Burgess made some giant strides during the season and the 23-year-old relished the battle for a spot in the starting team, crediting the competition with White and Telfer for her improved form.
Telfer struggled to force her way into the Steel's run-on team but her versatility may have helped her gain selection.
Coach Robyn Broughton often introduced her at crucial times during matches and she was always reliable.
Steel midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase was unavailable.
The 23-year-old is pregnant with her second child.
The selectors have held off naming a replacement skipper for Adine Wilson, who is taking time out after giving birth to her first child.
The captaincy appointment, as well as the paring down of the squad to 12 for the tests against Australia and England, will be made at the end of August after the first Silver Ferns camp.
Coach Ruth Aitken said picking the squad had involved some difficult decisions, but the selectors were confident the 16 chosen would develop individually and as a unit.
"The squad is a good mix of experience and youth and has an eye to the future, with six of the squad having been in the winning World Youth Cup team of 2005."
The team includes six members of the Magic side that was beaten 65-56 by the Swifts in the grand final of the ANZ Championship in Sydney on Monday night.
Aitken said she would take a leaf from the Magic's book and trial the positional switch between shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia to see if it could work at test level.
Van Dyk and Tutaia swapped places for much of the final month of the Magic's championship campaign, with van Dyk moving from goal shoot to the unfamiliar goal attack spot.
The change continued through to the start of Monday night's final.
However, Magic coach Noeline Taurua shifted the two back around at half-time in what turned out to be an unsuccessful attempt to overhaul the Swifts.
"We will certainly be having a look at it [switch]. Whether it turns out for us remains to be seen," Aitken said.
She also confirmed that she and former Silver Fern Temepara George had talked about George's international future.
George last week took up a position as Counties Manukau Netball development manager and said she would play a second season for the Northern Mystics next year.
Aitken said George had indicated that her personal circumstances would continue to rule her out of New Zealand contention for the rest of the year.
New Zealand squad
Shooters: Paula Griffin (Mystics), Anna Thompson (Tactix), Maria Tutaia (Magic), Irene van Dyk (Magic), Daneka Wipiiti (Steel).
Midcourt: Maree Bowden (Tactix), Erika Burgess (Steel), Laura Langman (Magic), Julie Seymour (Tactix), Wendy Telfer (Steel).
Defence: Leana de Bruin (Mystics), Katrina Grant (Steel), Joline Henry (Magic), Sheryl Scanlan (Mystics), Jodi Tod (Magic), Casey Williams (Magic).
Australian squad: Sharelle McMahon (Vixens), Natalie von Bertouch (Thunderbirds), Kate Beveridge (Fever), Rebecca Bulley (Swifts), Bianca Chatfield (Vixens), Catherine Cox (Swifts), Susan Fuhrmann (Fever), Laura Geitz (Firebirds), Mo'onia Gerrard (Thunderbirds), Kimberlee Green (Swifts), Renae Hallinan (Vixens), Clare McMeniman (Firebirds), Natalie Medhurst (Thunderbirds), Lauren Nourse (Firebirds), Susan Pratley (Swifts), Julie Prendergast (Vixens), Kimberley Purcell (Swifts), Caitlin Thwaites (Vixens).
