Scotland, who have never beaten the All Blacks, play New Zealand second in their programme, which also includes Tests against the USA, Argentina and Tonga.
Three new caps, Australian No8 Alexander Masibaka, blindside flanker Liam McConnell and hooker Hari Morris are included, while Magnus Bradbury (30) has been recalled after last playing in 2022.
Masibaka played off the bench in Scotland's win over the Māori All Blacks in July.
Townsend said: "Masibaka played well against the Māori All Blacks and has started the season very well for Montpellier. His explosive running, his power and also his work-rate are key attributes that can add to our squad."
Morris, a former Scotland Under-20 representative and McConnell were members of the Scotland A team that beat Chile in last year's November Tests.
Bradbury had been in good form for several months.
"He's grown into a leader over the last few years. He's going to get an opportunity now and it's great to have him back."
Missing from the side, due to injury, is British & Irish Lions centre Huw Jones.
Townsend said, "A lot of players are coming to their prime years.
"Over the last couple of years, players outside the squad have had that chance to get into the group, but it's very competitive now.
"In certain positions, there's quality all the through and some very good players have missed out on this squad."
Scotland's squad is: Forwards: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Josh Bayliss (Bath), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh), Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Darge (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Patrick Harrison (Edinburgh), Nathan McBeth (Glasgow Warriors), Alexander Masibaka (Montpellier), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby), Elliot Millar Mills (Northampton Saints), Harri Morris (Edinburgh), Andy Onyeama-Christie (Saracens), D'Arcy Rae (Edinburgh), Dylan Richardson (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Perpignan), Alex Samuel (Glasgow Warriors), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Marshall Sykes (Edinburgh), George Turner (Harlequins), Murphy Walker (Glasgow Warriors), Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors)
Backs: Fergus Burke (Saracens), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hutchinson (Northampton Saints), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears), Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors), Arron Reed (Sale Sharks), Finn Russell (Bath), Ollie Smith (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Thompson (Edinburgh), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Ben White (Toulon).
