The Silver Ferns have been beaten 53-39 by Australia in their opening game of the netball Quad Series in London.
Tiana Metuarau Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Australia led by nine at half time, but extended that to 18 goals by three-quarter time.
"I'd consider that a hiding, it could have gone more so there is a lot of work that we need to do, we just need to take it on the chin and move on," said coach Dame Noeline Taurua.
The Ferns started with Maia Wilson and Tiana Metuarau in the shooting circle with Gina Crampton, Sam Winders and Kayla Johnson in the midcourt and Karin Burger and Sulu Fitzpatrick in defence.
Kayla Johnson marked her return for the first time in nearly four years by getting the nod to start at wing defence while goal attack Tiana Metuarau got her first taste of playing Australia.
Taurua did make regular changes throughout the game as she assesses her squad ahead of this year's Commonwealth Games.
Australia shot 90 percent, while New Zealand shot 80 percent.
The Silver Ferns delivered a more promising second half but were on the back foot early which hampered any recovery as Australia maintained a forceful presence.
"We got a schooling from Australia today," Tauraua said afterwards.
"They were very good and in the first five or 10 minutes we coughed up a lot of ball and when that happens you're always on the back foot, that's what happened today.
"There were some good moments. Defensively, in the second half we were able to turn over some ball and were quite structured but in the attack end, we weren't able to do the job in our own positions."
The Silver Ferns play England in their second game on Monday morning.
The hosts opened the tournament with a 71-47 win over South Africa.
Shooting Stats - Silver Ferns:
Maia Wilson 24/26 (92%)
Tiana Metuarau 12/18 (67%)
Grace Nweke 3/5 (60%)
Shooting Stats - Australia:
Gretel Bueta 31/33 (94%)
Steph Wood 19/22 (86%)
Cara Koenen 3/4 (75%)