The 25-man squad is highlighted by a combination of experience and exciting young talent and all eight regions from around New Zealand are represented.
Veterans Ryan Archibald (299 tests), Simon Child (245) and Shea McAleese (221) are the most experienced campaigners with 765 international caps among them.
Batch said selections for the national squad were extremely tough, given the growing depth and quality of players within the wider group.
"The 25 players we have named in the national squad have the best opportunity to be selected for Rio, and we have seen a lot of pressure from within the group to further the development of each individual which is pleasing,'' he said.
"While we still look to leadership from the more experienced players like Ryan, Brad and Kyle, it's the younger group who are taking on more and more responsibility. That's a shift we're seeing within the squad right now in our evolution to building a sustainable level of experience.''
Canterbury striker Dominic Newman is the only new cap named in the squad, and has been rewarded for an impressive 2015 season playing under-21s and the National Hockey League.
The 19-year-old said he was surprised to get the call-up but excited about the prospect of playing for his country at the highest level.
"I was stunned to get the call from Colin to make the big jump, but I'm really humbled and looking forward to doing my absolute best for the squad,'' he said.
Veterans Phil Burrows, Andy Hayward and Steve Edwards were not selected for the squad, but have not signalled any intention of retiring from international hockey and remain under consideration for future selection.
Black Sticks
2016 squad
Ryan Archibald (Auckland), Cory Bennett (North Harbour), Marcus Child (Auckland), Simon Child (Auckland), James Coughlan (North Harbour), Nick Haig (Canterbury), Blair Hilton (Capital), Hugo Inglis (Southern), Stephen Jenness (Capital), Devon Manchester (Auckland), Shea McAleese (Central), George Muir (North Harbour), Shay Neal (Northland), Dominic Newman (Canterbury), Arun Panchia (Auckland), Jared Panchia (Auckland), Kyle Pontifex (Capital), Nick Ross (Southern), Kane Russell (Southern), Alex Shaw (Capital), Brad Shaw (Canterbury), Jacob Smith (Capital), Blair Tarrant (Southern), Nick Wilson (Central), Nic Woods (Midlands).
