Wily Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has captured quick wickets on the fourth morning, to end Blackcaps hopes of saving the first test at Wellington's Basin Reserve.
Lyon finished with matchwinning figures of 6/65, as the home side slumped to a 172-run loss, all out for 196 in their second innings.
Resuming at 111/3, still needing 259 runs for victory, New Zealand quickly lost three wickets - all to Lyon - as the match slipped from their grasp.
After bringing up his fifty the previous evening, Rachin Ravindra was the first to depart, lofting Lyon to Cam Green for a simple catch.
Three balls later, wicketkeeper Tom Blundell ended Lyon onto his thigh pad for a catch to Travis Head fielding nearby.
Glenn Phillips had been the Blackcaps' best performer in this match - with bat and ball - but he lasted only seven balls, before he misread Lyon's spin and was trapped leg before wicket. He reviewed the decision, but more out of hope than any certainty, and was walking before the umpire could confirm the call.
Lyon had his 526th test victim and 24th five-wicket bag.
At 128/6, New Zealand's hopes were pinned to Daryl Mitchell (25) and Scott Kuggeleijn, with the bowlers already padding up nervously.
Soon after drinks, Kuggeleijn could not contain a nasty delivery from allrounder Cam Green and departed for a lusty 26 off 28 balls, including four boundaries.
Matt Henry also showed some intent, hitting Lyon for a six, before he was caught by Steve Smith, off Josh Hazlewood, with New Zealand now 187/8 and the end near.
Skipper Tim Southee also put Lyon over the rope, but became his sixth victim, when he tried to repeat the shot two balls later, caught by Mitchell Starc.
Running out of partners, Mitchell succumbed somewhat meekly, topedging Hazlewood, who took an easy catch on his followthrough.
"We obviously didn't think it would turn as much as it did," admitted Southee. "Having those two guys in the top seven gives you the option, if it does turn and you saw the ability for Glenn to come into the game, like he did yesterday.
"We'll reflect on this and debrief it, and then move to a different ground, a different surface where we've had a lot of success."
Both teams now have an extra day to regroup, before heading to Christchurch for the second test, due to start on Friday at Hagley Oval.
Australia 383 & 164
NZ 179 & 196 (Ravindra 59, Mitchell 38; Lyon 6/65)
Australia win by 172 runs
