The Silver Ferns have fallen to a 59-58 defeat against England in the opening encounter of the Taini Jamison Trophy series at Auckland's Trusts Arena.
In a contest that swung one way and then the other, the Roses had the final decisive say, when defender Funmi Fadoju forced a midcourt turnover that allowed her team to make up their two-goal deficit and edge ahead in the dying moments.
Fresh from a 2-1 series defeat to Australia, the English were probably more match-ready for their three-game series on this side of the Tasman, but both teams had their opportunities to grab victory.
They exchanged turnovers through the opening quarter, with first New Zealand, then England gaining a narrow advantage. The Ferns ended the period ahead 15-14, after defender Kelly Jackson outleaned shooter Helen Housby under goal, forcing a held ball.
The margin stretched to three early in the second spell, with Jackson and Karin Burger terrorising the England attack, but a misdirected pass in midcourt allowed the visitors to retake the lead.
Halftime arrived at 29-29, with the visitors enjoying the better of the second quarter, but letting their edge slip in the dying exchanges.
Shooter Grace Nweke was a perfect 25/25 for New Zealand, who missed just one shot, but were limited to six attempts less than their rivals. All their feeds into the attack circle produced shots, most were lob passes to the towering Nweke.
Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua brought midcourt Claire O’Brien on for her international debut to start the third quarter, before introducing Maia Wilson for captain Amerliaranne Ekenasio moments later.
Nweke lost her flawless shooting record and her poise, eventually converting 49/55 for the match. When England defender Fran Williams cut off a feed, her team were two goals ahead.
Williams denied Nweke again and the margin was four.
The Ferns closed within a goal and introduction of debutant defender Parris Mason midway through the final stanza forced an immediate turnover, but they could not capitalise. Moments later, Mason struck again and the Kiwis had their noses in front.
Almost immediately defender Funmi Fadoju forced a crucial turnover for England and they held their nerve to the end.
"I think multiple different times in the game, we got a bit of momentum and then lost a few too many turnovers, definitely a few for me," admitted Ekenasio. "We'll go back and look at that.
"When we were good, we were really good, but we had little patches, when we lost a few in a row and that's dangerous, when you're playing international netball. We can be better at that."
The two teams meet again on Wednesday at Porirua.
England 59 (Tchine 41/45, Housby 18/21) New Zealand 58 (Nweke 49/55, Ekenasio 7/8, Wilson 2/2)
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