Parra is the most experienced player named by coach Jacques Brunel for the first of three tests tomorrow.
However, the versatile 66-test veteran has not played since Les Bleus were walloped 62-13 by New Zealand in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup in Cardiff.
The last time Parra ran on to Eden Park was when he was first five-eighth in the 2011 World Cup final loss, also to New Zealand.
Veteran fullback Maxime Medard is back after two years away and lock Yoann Maestri ends a year's absence as Brunel chose to mix a smattering of veterans among a host of relatively new faces.
Only four players in the starting line-up that lost to Wales in Cardiff in the France's most recent test - which completed a mediocre Six Nations campaign - have retained their places.
The most notable of them is centre Mathieu Bastareaud, who is promoted to captain in place of Guilhem Guirado.
Hooker Guirado is among a handful of proven performers not selected for the tour as Brunel assesses his options before next year's World Cup.
Camille Chat starts at hooker for the first time, having made 11 bench appearances. Prop Dany Priso is also making his test debut.
The biggest surprise is the selection of 22-year-old Clermont flanker Judicael Cancoriet for his fourth test.
Cancoriet was not included in Brunel's original tour party and only arrived in Auckland as cover for Montpellier's Kellian Galletier, who was unavailable for the first test because of his involvement in last weekend's Top 14 club final.
France team
Maxime Medard, Teddy Thomas, Mathieu Bastareaud (capt), Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso, Anthony Belleau, Morgan Parra, Kevin Gourdon, Febien Sanconnie, Judicael Cancoriet, Yoann Maestri, Paul Gabrillagues, Uini Atonio, Camille Chat, Dany Priso. Reserves: Adrien Pelissie, Cyril Baille, Rabah Slimani, Bernard Le Roux, Alexandre Lapandry, Baptiste Serin, Jules Plisson, Gael Fickou.