The women's Black Sticks scored a 9-2 win against hosts Ireland in their opening game of the Four Nations Tournament in Dublin.
The tournament, which also includes Chile and Canada, is an opportunity for the Black Sticks to get some game time ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow laterthis month.
In last night's game, the Kiwis had the best of the first half, applying good pressure on Ireland's midfield and defence and showing speed on attack.
Petrea Webster, Anita Punt, Sophie Cocks and Krystal Forgesson notched up a penalty corner each in the first half and there were field goals from Gemma Flynn, Punt and also Ireland's Megan Frazer.
In the second half, Ireland created some better opportunities and were first to score through Cliodhna Sargent's penalty corner strike.
But New Zealand were too strong for the 15th-ranked side and this time it was Canterbury's Olivia Merry who scored twice, converting a penalty corner and then 12 minutes later scoring from open play, taking the score to 8-1.
The Black Sticks play their next game against Chile at midnight tonight (NZT) before playing Canada on Wednesday morning with the finals to be played on Thursday.
New Zealand 9 (Anita Punt 2, Gemma Flynn 2, Olivia Merry 2, Krystal Forgesson, Sophie Cocks, Petrea Webster) Ireland 2 (Megan Frazer, Cliodhna Sargent) halftime: 6-1
