Playing in just his second international, wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver has starred with the bat, as the Blackcaps claimed a comfortable 88-run victory in their second Twenty20 to clinch the series against Ireland at Belfast.
Both teams were unchanged from the opening game just a few days ago, with the tourists sent in to bat in cloudy conditions.
Opener Finn Allen got New Zealand off to a rocking start with a quick-fire 35 (off 20 balls), including six boundaries and two maximums.
His wicket brought Cleaver to the crease, who wasted no time getting into his innings, striking an unbeaten 78 (55 balls), to put the Blackcaps in a commanding position.
Middle-order batsmen Glenn Phillips (23) and Daryl Mitchell (14) chipped in with late cameos, as New Zealand set an imposing 180 to win for the hosts.
Ireland made a solid start, with veteran openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie at 23 for no loss after almost three overs.
But three quick wickets put a halt to their charge, as Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy and a Glenn Phillips runout reduced the Irish to 27/3 an over later.
Balbirnie and Curtis Campher looked like they might ignite a comeback, but their revival was shortlived, as wickets continued to tumble.
Spin bowlers Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell quickly got into their work, picking up three wickets apiece, as Ireland crumbled to 91 all out in just the 13th over.
Bracewell became the third Kiwi to claim a hat-trick in a Twenty20 international and needed just one over to do so, conceding five runs. Duffy finished as the pick of the fast bowlers, with 2/20 off his three overs.
The third and final Twenty20 will be played on Saturday at Belfast.
NZ 179/4 (Cleaver 78no, Allen 35, Phillips 23, J Little 2/31) Ireland 91 (Adair 27, Stirling 21, Bracewell 3/5)
