Twin centuries to Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell have guided the Blackcaps to an emphatic victory in the opening One Day International against England, taking an eight-wicket win in Cardiff.
Chasing 292 to take a 1-0 lead in the four match series, the duo added an unbeaten partnership of 180 runs for the third wicket, guiding New Zealand home with more than four overs to spare.
The victory was one of the last chances for the Blackcaps to press their cases for spots at this year's Cricket World Cup, with coach Gary Stead's squad to be named on Monday.
After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Blackcaps captain Tom Latham would have been left sweating as England piled on an imposing 291/6 from their 50 overs, as New Zealand rested Mitchell Santner as their frontline spinner.
Half-centuries to rival skipper Jos Buttler (72), Dawid Malan (54), Ben Stokes (52) and Liam Livingstone (52) had the Blackcaps' bowlers under pressure, although all-rounder Rachin Ravindra impressed to take 3/48 from his 10 over spell.
With Michael Bracewell unavailable for the World Cup, Ravindra did his selection chances no harm, taking the wickets of Malan, Joe Root (6) and Stokes.
In response, Conway anchored the Blackcaps' chase, striking an unbeaten 111 from 121 balls.
Opening the batting, Conway got the innings off to a steady start, posting an opening partnership of 61 with Will Young (61) and 56 with Henry Nicholls (26).
Reaching his own 50 from 57 balls, Conway played the support role to Mitchell, who took the attack to England.
After impressing batting at No.3 in his last series against Pakistan, Mitchell showed no difficulty in dropping down to No.4 - in order to accommodate the returning Kane Williamson later this year.
Mitchell's own fifty came in 54 balls and added 64 runs by the time he and Conway raised their century stand in 99 deliveries.
As the pair steered the Blackcaps closer and closer to victory, Conway reached his fourth ODI century, raising his bat again after 115 balls, with 13 boundaries.
And, after taking their stand past 150 from only 138 balls, Mitchell joined Conway on three figures.
Following a series of five towering sixes off England's spinners, Mitchell also passed 100 for the fourth time in ODIs, his coming in only 85 balls, with six boundaries to finish 118 not out.
Conway finally put England out of their misery, lofting Liam Livingstone back over his head for one final six, getting the Blackcaps come in emphatic fashion.
The Blackcaps hold a 1-0 lead in the four-game series, with game two to be played at Southampton's Ageas Bowl on Sunday night (NZ time).
England 291/6 (Buttler 72, Malan 54, Stokes 52, Livingstone 52; Ravindra 3/48)
New Zealand 297/2 (Mitchell 118 not out, Conway 111 not out; Willey 1/32)
New Zealand win by eight wickets
