Mannering will lead the side when they travel to the UK later this year to defend the World Cup they won in 2008.
His first duty as Kiwi captain will be this year's Anzac Test at Canberra Stadium on April 19.
Mannering takes over from Benji Marshall, who equalled the Kiwis' record for Test appearances as captain when he led the national side for the 19th time in last season's Test against the Kangaroos in Townsville.
Mannering follows Matthew Ridge and Stacey Jones who previously captained the Vodafone Warriors and the Kiwis at the same time.
"I'm humbled to have the opportunity to lead my country," Mannering said.
"It's the highest honour in our game and one I'm privileged to be given."
Mannering goes into the 2013 season with more NRL appearances than any other player in the Warriors' squad. Still only 26, he has already played 165 NRL games and has also represented New Zealand in 30 Tests.
He made his Kiwi debut in the 2006 Tri Nations, only his second season in the NRL.
