New Zealand warmed up for the Six Nations with tests against China and Korea but Hager wasn't impressed with how his side defended in the lead-in matches.
"That's the thing that's been lacking with the group over the last four or five days as we've been conceding easy goals," Hager said.
"I thought Sally Rutherford was very good in goal and I thought our defence were very good around the 7m area. So that was really pleasing for us."
Rutherford made a string of fine saves during the first spell, when New Zealand were under pressure at the Unison Hockey Stadium.
It took some slick play from one of their veterans to get them on the board as Anita Punt, in her 150th test, scored from a penalty corner midway through the first spell.
"She got us off to a good start with the penalty corner, drag flick, and she's playing pretty well," Hager said of Punt.
"She would be a little bit disappointed with some of her outletting or passing but she worked tirelessly and made some really good intercepts and did some hard yards."
Punt's passing wasn't off all game, though, as she executed a nice assist to Petrea Webster as New Zealand took a 2-0 lead to the break.
An Olivia Merry strike in the second half extended New Zealand's advantage and, although the visitors pulled one back, it was only academic as the Black Sticks completed a strong opening to the tournament, part of the inaugural Hawke's Bay Festival of Hockey.
As New Zealand eye a meeting with China this afternoon, Hager said he didn't want his side to be so wasteful with possession.
"It's about when we go forward, counter-attacking with a bit more purpose and using our support players rather than just running away with the ball," Hager said.
In yesterday's other results, China beat Japan 2-0 and Argentina eased past Australia 3-0.
Black Sticks 3 (A. Punt, P. Webster, O. Merry) South Korea 1 (Hyo Ju An). Halftime: 2-0.
