A 15th one-day international ton from opener Martin Guptill has propelled the Blackcaps to a comfortable win over Bangladesh in Napier.
In the opening match of three, Bangladesh could only set a meagre 232-run target, which was run down with at a steady and deliberate pace by the New Zealand batsman, as they claimed an eight-wicket victory.
Guptill and fellow opener Henry Nicholls set the tone, scratching around for the first 10 overs and scoring at under four-an-over, but without the pressure of generating a run rate.
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Nicholls, who has been handed an opportunity to impress at the top of the order, given the failings of Colin Munro, struggled early to find gaps in the field, but grew in confidence, as his innings progressed at McLean Park.
Guptill, returning from a back injury, was a little more assured, never dropping his strike-rate below 80 percent and hoisting a couple of lusty blows over the boundary, before New Zealand had reached 50.
Nicholls brought up his seventh ODI fifty, as the partnership passed 100 - the first century opening stand for the Blackcaps in ODI's since 2017.
But just as Nicholls looked to be settling into a rhythm, he fell to a smart piece of bowling from impressive off-spinner Mehidy Miraz.
Nicholls (57) was beaten in flight by a fullish delivery, effectively yorking himself, and the ball cannoned into the stumps.
Guptill passed 50 soon after, but lost skipper Kane Williamson with the total on 137. Williamson misjudged a sweep shot and was trapped in front by part-time spin bowler Muhmudullah for 11.
Enter Ross Taylor, who seemed to settle Guptill, as the two right-handers went about their work with consumate ease.
Guptill brought up his ton with a single, before stepping on the gas pedal, ending the contest a few overs later.
Guptill (117no) cracked four sixes and eight fours in his 116-ball stay, while Taylor looked in complete control, finishing 45no from 49 balls, with six fours.
Earlier, New Zealand let Bangladesh off the hook somewhat with the ball.
Batting first, the visitors were reeling at 94/6 in the 23rd over and the Blackcaps seemed poised to wrap up the innings in double-quick time.
But middle-order batsman Mohammand Mithun compiled partnerships with Mehiy Hasan Miraz (37 runs) and Mohammad Saifuddin (84 runs) to steer Bangladesh to a defendable total, albeit on a batting paradise.
The Blackcaps had both openers back in the pavilion by the sixth over and continued a steady stream of wickets, until Sabbair Rahman was spectacularly stumped by wicketkeeper Tom Latham at 94/6.
Mithun rescued the innings, with his knock of 62 runs coming off 90 balls. He was eventually the 10th wicket to fall at 229 and his team didn't last much longer with tailenders at the crease.
Veteran seamer Trent Boult was the pick of the NZ bowlers, taking 3/40, but the home team allowed 27 extras, including 16 wides.
Spinner Mitch Santner took 3/45 and Lockie Ferguson was fast, repeatedly exceeding 150kph for his 2/44.
The second ODI is at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Saturday.
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