Piutau missed a month of the Super Rugby season with a knee ligament injury, while Cane was named in the All Blacks squad for the June internationals against England but released before the first test after checks revealed a fractured kneecap.
As expected, flyhalf Carter has also returned after his six-month sabbatical ended in late June. He replaces Colin Slade, while Piutau has ostensibly replaced centre Ryan Crotty.
Canterbury Crusaders prop Joe Moody will come into the squad as cover for Tony Woodcock, who has a shoulder injury and is expected to miss the start of the Championship.
Steven Luatua has also earned a recall to the squad. Luatua, who went through a form slump with the Auckland Blues, had dropped out of national contention altogether ahead of the June tests before coming into the side as late injury cover.
The 23-year-old's ability to play lock as well as blindside flanker may have swayed his selection ahead of Victor Vito, who is reportedly battling a back injury and is considered more of a specialised loose forward.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has also gambled with his options at hooker by naming just two in the 31-man squad. Dane Coles is likely to cement the starting position with 35-year-old veteran Keven Mealamu playing a role off the bench.
Hansen has been hunting for a third hooker since Andrew Hore retired last year as he makes his final tweaks to the squad ahead of next year's World Cup.
Liam Coltman and Nathan Harris were given wider training squad roles this year but neither have been elevated to the official squad.
Harris will continue to train with the squad as part of an "apprenticeship" scheme during the All Blacks' domestic tests during the Championship.
Hansen is expected to give a third hooker an opportunity on an end of season tour where the All Blacks play the United States in Chicago en route to Britain where they face England, Scotland and Wales.
Lock Luke Romano, who broke his leg earlier this year, was not considered for the southern hemisphere competition, which also includes South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
The All Blacks open the defence of their title against Australia on Aug. 16 in Sydney, where they will be looking to achieve a record 18th successive test victory.
New Zealand squad:
Backs - Ben Smith, Israel Dagg, Charles Piutau, Cory Jane, Julian Savea, Malakai Fekitoa, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr-Barlow.
Forwards - Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Liam Messam, Samuel Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dominic Bird, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu.