Nareki was expected to be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the campaign.
But he is fit and will start on the left wing, where he will mark Stags speedster Michael Manson.
All Blacks loose forward Christian Lio-Willie will pack down at No 8 and Fijian-born lock Joseva Tamani will make his debut for Otago.
Englishman Charlie Powell will also be on debut for Otago. The outside back played for the Stags last season.
There are three more potential Otago debutants named on the bench.
Taieri halfback Bob Martin, Green Island fullback Sam Nemec-Vial and Cantabrian midfielder Jae Broomfield made an impact during the preseason and have been rewarded with a spot in the game-day 23.
Nareki’s inclusion will give Otago some confidence to play with width, knowing they have a game-breaker out wide, while the combination between halfback Nathan Hastie and first five Cameron Millar will set the tone for the visitors.
Southland have named a side featuring a solid tight five and an impressive loose forward trio of Sean Withy, Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa and former Otago utility Sam Fischli, who has been named at blindside and will be on debut for the Stags.
Former Canterbury halfback Nic Shearer has made the move south and will also be on debut for Southland.
Front-rowers Jack Sexton, Jack Taylor and Morgan Mitchell and locks Mitchell Dunshea and William Kirkwood should ensure the Stags are competitive in the set phases.
The backline arguably lacks some X-factor, though Manson has express pace, fullback Rory van Vugt is reliable and will be clocking his 50th game for the province, and centre Isaac Te Tamaki can be elusive.
Aukustino Salanoa, Alefosio Aho, Cain Hurley and Mika Muliaina have been named in the reserves and will be making their debut if they get on.
The Donald Stuart Memorial Shield is at stake. Southland won the fixture 22-13 last year.
NPC
The teams
Otago: Sam Gilbert (captain), Charlie Powell, Josh Timu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Jona Nareki, Cameron Millar, Nathan Hastie, Christian Lio-Willie, Harry Taylor, Will Stodart, Joseva Tamani, Will Tucker, Saula Ma’u, Henry Bell, Abraham Pole:
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ben Lopas, Rohan Wingham, Charles Elton, Lucas Casey, Bob Martin, Jae Broomfield, Sam Nemec-Vial.
Southland: Rory van Vugt, Michael Manson, Isaac Te Tamaki, Matt Whaanga, Scott Gregory, Byron Smith, Nic Shearer, Semisi Tupou-Ta’eiloa, Sean Withy (captain), Sam Fischli, William Kirkwood, Mitchell Dunshea, Morgan Mitchell, Jack Taylor, Jack Sexton.
Reserves: Aukustino Salanoa, Hunter Fahey, Paula Latu, Alefosio Aho, Cian Hurley, Connor Collins, Mika Muliaina, Faletoi Peni.
