The Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the third match of the one day cricket series at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
The Black Caps' vice-captain Ross Taylor was passed fit after concerns over his hamstring, while allrounder James Franklin and bowler Darryl Tuffey were ruled out because of injury.
Australia levelled the five-match series on Saturday night with a 12-run win at Eden Park in Auckland.