New Zealand have named Denis Aberhart as the new coach of the national cricket team.

The former Otago and Canterbury coach replaces David Trist, who completes his two-year reign at the end of the tri-series one-day tournament in Sri Lanka next month.

Aberhart has been handed a two-year contract and his first task will be to lead New Zealand on their tour of Pakistan in mid-September.

Several highly respected figures turned down the prospect of taking on the role, including India coach John Wright and Gloucestershire coach John Bracewell.

Aberhart is a qualified Level Three coach and is best known for leading Canterbury during a period of unprecedented success from 1993 to 1997.

He is a former right-arm medium pace seamer who claimed 101 first class wickets for Central Districts and Canterbury.