The Blackcaps are off to a winning start in their Twenty20 international series against Ireland, taking the first match by 31 runs at Belfast.
After they stumbled out of the blocks, Glenn Phillips steadied the NZ batting with a superb unbeaten 69 runs off 52 balls, lifting them from a perilous 54/4 in the ninth over to a total of 173/8.
The Irish made a positive start in response, until fast bowler Lockie Ferguson (4/14) sent three of the top five back to the pavillion to put the hosts on the back foot.
While they were able to keep pace with the run rate, Ireland continued to lose regular wickets and were eventually dismissed for 142 two balls into the 19th over.
The result ensures the Blackcaps remain unbeaten in Ireland, after they completed a 3-0 series sweep in the one-day series.
After narrowly escaping with wins on the first and final ODIs, Tuesday's effort was arguably the most convincing performance yet by the Kiwi men, who haven't been as dominant as the gulf in rankings between the two sides would suggest.
Coming to the crease with the Blackcaps teetering at 29/2, Phillips blasted seven fours and a six in his undefeated knock of 69 to anchor the NZ innings - his third T20 international half-century.
After the Irish openers kicked off the chase with a bang, Ferguson struck twice in his second over to halt proceedings, bowling Gareth Delany with a beautiful delivery that nipped back to collect the top off off-stump, before having Paul Stirling caught at extra cover by Phillips a few balls later.
In the next over, spinner Mitchell Santner snared dangerman Harry Tector to have the hosts reeling at 37/4.
Curtis Campher (29) helped keep the runs ticking over for the Irish, but they couldn't string together any meaningful partnerships, as they collapsed to 131/8, before Ferguson inflicted the final blow for the Blackcaps.
The two teams will meet again on Thursday for the second in their three-match series.
NZ 173/8 (Philips 69no, Neesham 29, Guptill 24, J Little 4/35) Ireland 142 (Campher 29, Adair 25, Ferguson 4/14)
Blackcaps win by 31 runs
