The Blackcaps want some respect given to them ahead of their Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against England on Thursday morning.
Coach Gary Stead says his side continues to be written off despite their continued success.
Stead says qualifying for the final four is just the first tick on the checklist he hopes leads to a first T20 World Cup win for New Zealand.
But even making the semi-finals has surprised many, with big guns South Africa, West Indies and India all heading home early.
Former New Zealand international Scott Styris says while some of those other sides on paper look more destructive, this version of the Blackcaps is the best T20 side New Zealand has ever produced.
"If we're honest, India and Pakistan are better teams than New Zealand," Styris says.
"So getting out of the group has been a really good achievement. I think this is the third of the three versions of the game, in terms of preference for this Blackcaps team.
"But this is as good a New Zealand team as we've ever had."
The Blackcaps continue to show it every time they step on the field, but Stead's not sure it's being recognised on the global stage.
"When you line each player up man for man, I don't think we get the credit some of the players deserve," Stead says.
Styris agrees, but says the continuing disregard of New Zealand's chances is playing into their hands.
"But in some ways, the way this team's setup, they probably won't mind it.
"They're not look at me cricketers."
But despite four impressive wins in a row, Styris is wary England's more battle-hardened - given the opposition they've faced.
England has swept aside Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in group play, before losing a tight contest against South Africa in their final game.
"Ideally I would've liked to have seen more out of the middle order batting.
"We don't possess the power that other teams possess, so we rely on guys like [Martin] Guptill and Daryl Mitchell at the top of the order.
"If we're two for 10 or 10 for two, then I think we're in a bit of trouble."
Though it's an England team who will be without one of their most destructive weapons, after Jason Roy succumbed to a calf injury, although Stead says the gameplan remains the same.
"I don't think that'll change how we approach the game. We're looking forward to playing England again. We're looking forward to it being a one of game - where anything can happen."
And that includes a Super Over, which would make any New Zealand cricket fan shiver, but Stead says the 2019 World Cup final isn't being discussed - just yet.
"Maybe if it gets to a Super Over it might come up."
As if Blackcaps fans needed another reminder of that.
