The Blackcaps are approaching the tri-series with the upcoming Twenty20 international World Cup at the forefront of their minds.
New Zealand will contest the T20 series against Pakistan and Bangladesh over the next week at a wintery Hagley Oval at Christchurch.
It will be the last opportunity for the sides to play full-fledged international games before the World Cup gets underway in Australia, with the Blackcaps opening fixture against the hosts in Sydney on October 22.
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead believes the short turnaround in between games for the tri-series will prepare them well for the knockout tournament.
"We've got a pretty good idea of where we're going," Stead said. "I think the challenging thing for us is working back from 22nd of October, where we play Australia.
"In that period of time, we've got seven games in about 10 or 11 days, so things will come around and happen very quickly.
"For us, it's making sure we've got the players in the form that we want to as much as we can, and secondly making sure that they're mentally ready and also, have that freshness about them.
"There is that danger when the scheduling is so tight, where one game runs into another, so we just have to be careful, and make sure we select the right side, but be prepared to make changes to make sure we're ready for the 22nd of October.
"These are full internationals, so it's different to the warm-up games for the World Cup, in which you can play up to 15 players.
"These are played as full internationals - any series we go into, we're trying to win, we're trying to put our best foot forward, but also looking at that big picture.
"The World Cup is just around the corner, and it's exciting, but that World Cup will come around fast, and the tournament itself happens fast as well.
"It's really making sure we're clear in the way we want to play, we have our combinations set up the way we want to, then we go out there and trust what we've been doing."
The Blackcaps will be looking to go one better at the next T20 World Cup, having been beaten by Australia in the final in Dubai.
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell was one of New Zealand's best from that tournament, and like his coach, believes the tri-series will serve as an ideal opportunity to lay down the groundwork for a successful campaign.
"Anytime you get to play for New Zealand is special, for me, it's always a big moment putting on that fern and representing our country," he said.
"We've got a couple of warm-up games once we get to Australia to prepare for that World Cup, but for us, this is on our home turf, and we're pretty excited to represent our country.
"I think it's perfect preparation to keep backing up games over the course of a week, that's the nature of the World Cup as well and the nature of international cricket at the moment.
"Your ability to keep backing up performances and doing that over and over again and try to win games and win tournaments."
Join us at 7pm, Saturday for live updates of Blackcaps v Pakistan
