Promising all-rounder Corey Anderson, test opening batsman Hamish Rutherford, fast bowler Mitchell McLenaghan, the versatile Tom Latham and Colin Munro and veteran left-arm spinner Bruce Martin have all been included for the first time on the list of players who will be paid retainers.
South African-born all-rounder Grant Elliott has returned to the list after missing out last season while test opener Peter Fulton regains a place for the first time since 2009.
Test batsman Daniel Flynn, wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk and one-day specialists James Franklin and Rob Nicol have also missed out.
Contracts are awarded to players who score most highly on a weighting scale which measures performances in tests, one-dayers and Twenty20 matches, placing most emphasis on tests.