The Blackcaps have crushed hosts England by eight wickets in the second and final test to seal a 1-0 series win, after chasing down a target of 38 runs on the fourth day at Edgbaston.
The result means New Zealand, who thoroughly outplayed the hosts in the match, secured a first test series win in England since 1999 and only their third overall in the country.
England had been reduced to 122/9 at stumps on day three with a slender lead of 37 runs and Olly Stone was caught behind off Trent Boult on the first ball of the day on Sunday, leaving the visitors on the verge of a famous victory.
New Zealand lost Devon Conway for three, after the opening batsman fished at a Stuart Broad delivery only to edge it to James Bracey, before Will Young (8) played a ball on to his stumps off Stone to leave the visitors at 33-2.
But stand-in skipper Tom Latham (23 not out), who went past 4,000 runs in test cricket during his knock, and Ross Taylor (0 not out) guided them to 41/2 in 10.5 overs.
Latham praised the squad's depth after they came into the contest having made six changes from the drawn first test at Lord's.
"It's great to have that performance under the belt," Latham said. "We were outstanding over the four days, everyone who came in did their roles.
"It's fantastic for the depth of NZ cricket. Will Young, Matt Henry haven't had much opportunity but the way they stood up was outstanding.
"England have a fantastic bowling attack and we played them really well. We adapted well and put good numbers on the board."
The series win returns New Zealand to the No. 1 spot in the ICC's official test rankings, overtaking India just days out from their Southampton showdown in the World Test Championship final.
"It's a fantastic achievement by the group and important we celebrate with each other," Latham adds.
"For us, it was about coming here and trying to play our brand of cricket, and we did that really well over four days and got our rewards."
England skipper Joe Root said his team had "massively underperformed".
"It hasn't been our best week, has it?" Root said. "Credit to New Zealand, they have outperformed us throughout the game.
"It's a tough one to take because at the start of the week I thoroughly thought we could come here and win the series, but in all departments we could have been a little bit better, if we're being brutally honest."
Blackcaps quick Matt Henry was awarded Player of the Match for his six-wicket haul, while Devon Conway - who marked his test debut at Lord's with a double century - was named New Zealand's Player of the Series.
The Blackcaps will enjoy an extra day's rest before taking on India in the WTC final, which starts on Friday.
Reuters/Newshub.
