Hooker Codie Taylor, halfback Aaron Smith and utility Jordie Barrett have all grabbed a try doubles to spark the All Blacks to a 55-23 win over Wales at Cardiff's Principality Stadium, stretching 69 years of misery for the home side.
The Welsh haven't tasted success against New Zealand since 1953 and probably fancied their chances of breaking the drought, given the their rivals' patchy form this year, but the run will continue for at least another year, after the visitors controlled most of the contest.
After dispatching an understrength home side 54-16 at the same venue 12 months ago, the All Blacks were confronted by a strong Wales side that had given the world champion Springboks all they could handle in July.
With only four of the starting XV backing up from last week's Japan encounter, most of the NZ line-up hadn't played for more than a month, but they quickly shook off any rust, opening up a 17-0 inside 20 minutes.
The result was built on forward superiority, with only centre Rieko Ioane managing 50 running metres over the 80 minutes.
After first-five Richie Mo'unga opened the scoring with an early penalty, Taylor capitalised on a breakdown turnover by No.8 Ardie Savea and clean break from flanker Dalton Papali'i to rumble over for his first try.
Savea was again prominent, as the All Blacks steamrolled towards the posts for Taylor's second and they seemed well on their way to a big win.
As has been the case throughout their fraught 2022 campaign, New Zealand's indiscipline allowed their rivals back in the contest, gifting possession in their own half.
Rookie winger Rio Dyer scored a perfectly executed try from an attacking lineout and Gareth Anscombe's penalty brought Wales back into contention.
Playing under penalty advantage, Mo'unga placed a crossfield kick for second-five Jordie Barrett to outjump Dyer and score, while another Anscombe penalty had the Welsh trailling 22-13 at halftime.
Another penalty after the restart had the hosts within a converted try, but Smith's solo burst from an attacking scrum brought back memories of younger days.
Mo'unga failed to defuse a chip kick from Wales first-five Rhys Priestland and captain Justin Tipuric pounced on the loose ball to keep his team close, surviving a forensic video analysis for a suspected knock-on.
On a night when he became the All Blacks' most-capped back, Smith struck again, after Savea threw an outrageous dummy and offloaded to his halfback close to the line, before Savea iced the win with a try of his own, following some hard yard from the forwards.
Down 41-23, Wales had a prime opportunity to get back into the race, when Anscombe charged down Beauden Barrett's clearing kick, but the NZ-born fullback was desperately dragged into touch by Mo'unga metres out from the corner.
Jordie Barrett switched to fullback late and loomed outside brother Beauden for his second try, joining Taylor and Smith with doubles for the match.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho came off the bench to add impetus to the forward effort, barging over after the final siren to crack a half-century of points for the second straight year.
"It was a funny old week, especially for myself, after not playing for a while." said captain Sam Whitelock. "A couple of other guys selected to play were the same.
"The whole group had the energy and it just shows, when we have that, we can put a good performance together. Even though there were some things we won't be happy with, it was good to come away with a big win."
New Zealand now face Scotland, fresh off their win over Fiji, next Monday.
New Zealand 55 (Taylor 2, Smith 2, J Barrett 2, Taukei'aho & Savea tries; Mo'unga penalty & 4 conversions, B Barrett 2 conversions) Wales 23 (Dyer & Tipuric tries; Anscombe 2 conversions & 3 penalties)
