I hate to admit it but you're right, NZ's test team is lookign a little shonky right now and there's only one test between now and the England tour, other than that it's just domestic one dayers and 2020s.

Bell's looking ok as an opener, although admittadly only against Bangladesh and domestic sides (not sure which of those is more impressive) he's in good form which he'll need to maintain until March.
After that you've got little to worry about batting wise, Cumming, Fleming and Fulton are all short of match play, Styris and Taylor are playing one-dayers now, Sinclair's form is about as reliable as an Auckland train.
There's Oram but he'll probably get injured before than, and then McCullum at seven is the next best bat (although he's probably a bit rash at times from too much ODI cricket). Vettori and Mills are capable of hitting fifties while the other bowlers are lucky if they hold the right end of the bat at times.

Bowling wise Martin is our best wicket-taker but needs the conditions to be in his favour, O'Brien doesn't deserve his spot, Gillespie is a bit erractic but is promising, Mills is great in ODIs but hasnt' played much test cricket and Mason is neither here nor there. Bond's probably gone for good now he's joined the ICL or the IPL or the WWF or whatever the hell its called. Frankilins still injured otherwise he'd be opening. Orams not bad though.

So yeah ummmm I'm predicting (Sadly) an England series win, both here and in the old country, but then again who knows what will happen by March. My hope is Styris gest back into the side but we'll see. I'd lie How to get a run, hopefully he can impress in the ODI series, he bats in those like its a test match anyway.

My ideal test side: Bell, How, Fulton, Fleming, Sinclair/Styris, Oram, McCullum, Vettori, Mills, Gillespie/Mason, Martin.

Ok I copped out by picking 13 players but this is March we're talkign about here and the bowlers would be picked depending on the pitch, Gilly needs a quicker track than Mason.