The Germans finished in 43.130s, clocking an average speed of 62.601km/h compared to the New Zealanders' 62.184km/h.
However, from a Kiwi perspective, the result makes for a resurgence after the Cali World Cup meet in October when, in an open air velodrome, Dawkins was unable draft onto Webster's wheel. Germany also went on to win that event overall.
The men's pursuit of Piet Bulling, Cam Karwowski, Alex Frame and Regan Gough held their own with Australia through the first 1000m, restricting the margin to 0.164s, before their rivals extended to a 4.602s win over the final 3000m, finishing in a time of 3m 53.010s.
The highlight for the neutral fan was the women's team pursuit final. The lead oscillated between Australia and Canada with rarely more than a second between them. With 125m to go Canada edged in front by 0.002s only for Australia to surge to a 0.054s triumph at the line.
The New Zealand team pursuit of Rushlee Buchanan, Lauren Ellis, Jaime Nielsen and Georgia Williams earlier applied a drip, drip of split seconds which eventually lead to a torrent as they beat the United States by 6.772s for bronze. However, their overall time of 4m 23.011s was 4.798s adrift of Australia's, meaning their work is cut out for Rio.
Buchanan said having Brendon Cameron, Olympic gold medallist Sarah Ulmer's partner and former coach, as their mentor since May is making a difference.
"We have 100 per cent trust with him and Sarah behind us. The distance he walks up and down the track tells us how far ahead or behind we are and he tells us the times.
"It's a lot to take in every time you come round but you can generally pick up from his body language. He's either jumping up and down or looking worried."
Sprinter Natasha Hansen set a national record of 10.990s in her qualifier. It beat her previous best by 0.176s, but she was eliminated in the first round by Dutch rider Laurine van Riessen.
"I feel like the gap is reducing. Coming into the last lap I lost speed trying to make my second run. I should have backed myself with more confidence."
After the omnium's scratch race, individual pursuit and elimination components, Holly Edmondston sat 11th in the women's; Nick Kergozou was 12th in the men's.
Webster qualified directly into the second round of the men's keirin with an opening victory but missed the finals with fourth.
It was also a busy day for the track repair volunteers and doctors. Overseas riders were left strewn across the track in three separate incidents. A ladder even made a cameo to help with one track gouging. A smear of putty and a quick sand sorted each of the dents out in a jiffy.
- By Andrew Alderson in Cambridge
