England cricket coach Brendon McCullum is enjoying being back in New Zealand ahead of a highly anticipated Test series against his home nation.

The Black Caps host England in a three-match Test series with the first Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch starting on Thursday.

Watch the Black Caps Test series with England live as part of the summer of cricket on TVNZ+

McCullum told 1News he was excited to be back in New Zealand.

"I’ve got a big job over the next four or five weeks and that’s to show off New Zealand to all the England boys - we’re really looking forward to the tour," McCullum told 1News.

McCullum also had praise for the Black Caps' historic Test clean sweep over India.

"I think there’s so much anticipation for this series, with New Zealand pulling off what was in my opinion, the most remarkable performance in New Zealand cricket history."

The Black Caps made history when sweeping India 3-0 in their Test series earlier this month.

"We know how hard it is to go to India, they’re such a force in their own country and to see that result - it was mind blowing.

"The current New Zealand side are such a resourceful team, they don’t rely on one or two players because there's so many different players that can step up. I was quite envious of how well they did but I’m really proud of the achievements for the guys that I know within that group."

McCullum's side are coming into this Test series off the back of a 2-1 series loss against Pakistan.

"We’re not quivering, we’re looking forward to the challenge. We love playing against the best teams and to test ourselves, that’s international sport you want to see where you’re at and have your game challenged and hopefully come out on top and make those great memories."

England's last Test outing in New Zealand was a 1-1 draw back in 2022, with the Black Caps winning the second Test in Wellington by one run.

"We had a great series against New Zealand two years ago which was shared one-all, now we get a three Test series and hopefully we’ll see some entertaining cricket and some great crowds. Hopefully it’s attended well by the New Zealand public and we’ll see where we land but it should be fun."

McCullum thinks the New Zealand conditions are more favourable to his team then what they experienced on their last Test tour in Pakistan.

"It’s probably more similar to England conditions than what Pakistan was. We were challenged at times over there in pretty extreme conditions but hopefully here we can find a bit more to our liking."

England haven't won a Test series in New Zealand since 2008, against a Black Cap team which McCullum was a part of.

Meanwhile England captain Ben Stokes came over to New Zealand a few days earlier than the rest of his teammates to visit family in Christchurch.

Stokes was born in Christchurch but moved to England when he was 12.

The 33-year-old said he thinks the Black Caps will be full of confidence off the back of the India series.

"We really enjoy playing against New Zealand, it always seems to be a great series and thankfully this time it’s three games not two so I think both teams will feel like there’s business to finish there," Stokes told 1News.

"Hopefully someone can come away from this series victorious and hopefully it’s us.

"If we go out there and perform to the capabilities that we know we can, then we know we’re a very hard team to beat."

Stokes was recovering from a hamstring injury and didn’t feature in the bowling line-up during the Pakistan series but said he would be fulfilling an all-rounder role in New Zealand.

England are playing a two-day match against a New Zealand 'Prime Minister's XI' side in Queenstown starting on Saturday.

Watch the Black Caps Test series with England live as part of the summer of cricket on TVNZ+

1st Test - Thursday, November 28 - Monday, December 2 - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

2nd Test – Friday, December 6 – Tuesday, December 10 - Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

3rd Test – Saturday, December 14 – Wednesday, December 18 - Seddon Park, Hamilton