Imports Sonny Bill Williams (Crusaders) and Aaron Cruden (Hurricanes) are the big inclusions to the squad and will help fill spots left by the departing All Black duo of Mils Muliaina and Stephen Donald and former All Black skipper Tana Umaga who retired at the end of last season.
Fellow All Black Richard Kahui returns for another season with the Chiefs. Southland utility back Robbie Robinson joins the Chiefs after two seasons with the Highlanders.
The Chiefs squad lacks current All Blacks in the forwards but includes Tongan prop Sona Taumalolo and Samoan hooker Mahonri Schwalger who both impressed at the Rugby World Cup. The forwards also include former All Blacks Liam Messam, Hika Elliot, Scott Waldrom and Tanerau Latimer.
Dave Rennie said "It is a good mixture of young exciting talent and key experienced players which should allow us to play a highly appealing style of rugby".
Chiefs squad
Forwards: Toby Smith, Sona Taumalolo, Ben Afeaki, Shane Cleaver, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger, Romana Graham, Craig Clarke,
Mike Fitzgerald, Brodie Retallick, Kane Thompson, Liam Messam, Scott Waldrom, Tanerau Latimer, Sam Cane, Fritz Lee, Alex Bradley.
Backs: Brendon Leonard, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Aaron Cruden, Andrew Horrell, Jackson Willison, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, Aseli Tikoirototuma, Lelia Masaga, Maritino Nemani, Declan O'Donnell, Tim Nanai-Williams, Robbie Robinson.