The Blackcaps have ensured legendary batter Ross Taylor received a fitting farewell to international cricket, crushing Netherlands by 115 runs in the third and final one-day international at Hamilton on Monday.
Masterful centuries by Martin Guptill (106 off 123 balls) and Will Young (120 off 112) set the platform for an imposing total of 332/8, with the Dutch ultimately falling short, despite a valiant chase spearheaded by retiring opener Stephan Dryburgh.
The result seals a 3-0 series sweep for the Blackcaps, after convincing earlier wins at Mt Maunganui and Seddon Park.
Sitting pretty at 215/1 in the 39th over, it seemed the full crowd on hand to witness Taylor's swansong innings might be denied that opportunity, with Young and Guptill in complete control.
But a tiring Guptill departed quickly after bringing up his 17th ODI century, bringing Taylor to the crease to a rousing ovation from the Seddon Park faithful, as the Netherlands players formed a guard of honour.
Taylor may not have been in the middle for a long time, but it was a good time - treating the crowd to one of his patented slog-sweeps to cow corner for six, before skying a return catch to Logan van Beek to depart for 14.
He made his way off the park to a stirring farewell, his mother and young family beaming with pride from the boundary.
Emotions ran high throughout the day for Taylor, who began by lining up with his children for a tearful national anthem, then finished by pocketing the match-winning catch in a fitting final act.
Staring at a mammoth total at 260/4 in the 43rd over, the Blackcaps lost four wickets for just 14 runs through the proceeding three overs to stifle their procession.
Handy late knocks from Tom Latham (23 off 17 balls) and Doug Bracewell (22 off nine balls) ensured the Blackcaps' foundation didn't go to waste.
The Dutch began their pursuit with all guns blazing, as Dryburgh - playing his final international for his country - let loose with a magnificent opening salvo.
Dryburgh sent the Blackcaps bowlers to all corners of Seddon Park, as the side raced to 81 in the 11th over, before holing out to square leg off Colin de Grandhomme.
His innings of 64 came from just 43 balls and included 13 fours and a six.
Dryburgh's departure saw the Dutch momentum slow considerably and the run rate quickly rise.
The top order made a determined effort to occupy the crease but the runs steadily dried up, until Matt Henry struck with his first and 100th ODI wicket, then soon added two more in consecutive deliveries to leave the visitors stumbling at 144/6 in the 29th over.
They never recovered in the run department but nonetheless spent some valuable time in the middle, particularly series stand-out Logan van Beek, who blasted a trio of sixes in his knock of 32.
The final three wickets fell for seven runs, as Taylor added the finishing touch.
Henry was the pick of the Blackcaps bowlers, finishing with 4/36, while Doug Bracewell impressed in his seven-overs to claim 2/23.
Young was named player of the series for his pair of centuries in the first and third ODIs respectively.
New Zealand 333/8 in 50 overs (Will Young 120, Martin Guptill 106) beat the Netherlands 218 all out in 42.3 overs (Stephan Myburgh 64, Logan van Beek 32; Matt Henry 4-36) by 115 runs
