Four Queenstown and Alexandra riders are part of the 19-strong team competing in Pal Arinsal, Andorra.
Queenstown riders Jess Blewitt and Toby Meek will race in the elite female and male divisions and Rory Meek in the downhill junior male.
Alexandra rider Eddie Adams adds his skills to the cross-country event.
New Zealand finished the Super Worlds last year with three rainbow jerseys and a further three podium finishes.
Kiwi riders also secured nine top-10 performances in what were New Zealand’s most successful world championships in Scotland.
But there is more depth and experience among this year’s squad, especially in the tricky downhill events which have significant challenges with the course starting at an altitude of 2400m.
"I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Kiwis go," Gaze said.
"Collectively as a whole, New Zealand mountainbiking is set for a very good world championship."
Gaze, who lives in the Pal Arinsal area, was also excited to race on what has become almost a home course for him after a tough Olympics.
"It is quite strange basically riding out of the house to go racing.
"I am not putting too much expectation on myself.
"It’s no secret that I fell short of my personal target in Paris.
"For me I just want to enjoy this world championship for what it is — and collectively having the whole mountainbike community together for the one-off world championships."
