The Silver Ferns have again gone down to the Australian Diamonds, with the second match of the trans-Tasman Constellation Cup lost 48-58 in Auckland.
The first match was lost 44-50 on Tuesday in Christchurch.
Bailey Mes of the Silver Ferns is tackled by Clare McMeniman and Laura Geitz during Tuesday's match in Christchurch. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After trailing 13-14 in the first quarter, the Silver Ferns got out to a four-goal lead midway through the second - before the Diamonds reeled the match back to 27-27 at half time.
Perfect shooting stats for Caitlin Basset and Natalie Medhurst helped the visitors gain the lead heading into the second half, although New Zealand's Bailey Mes and Jodi Brown were not far behind with 27 from 30 attempts.
Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu made two changes to her defensive end, with Leana de Bruin coming on for Katrina Grant at goal defence while Phoenix Karaka replaced the team's captain Casey Kopua at goal keep.
Australia also made two changes in the defensive end. Gabi Simpson replaced Claire McMeniman at wing defence, with the latter moved to goal defence for Sharni Layton.
The changes proved vital for Australia, who turned the match on its head and ended the third quarter with a three-goal lead.
That lead was extended further in the final 15 minutes, with Australia taking the match 58-48.
The Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu said her side was outclassed by a very dominant Australian shooting combination.
"We need to try and stop that shooting cirle, but it's a very good Australian shooting cirle.
"We'll keep working at it, I think we have the best defenders in the country here and so we've got to keep working at it," Taumaunu said.
Both Basset and Medhurst continued their near perfect nights in the shooting circle, with Basset making 39 from 41 attempts and Medhurst making 19 from 20.
Mes was the pick of New Zealand's shooters, with 30 from 32, and Brown made 16 from 22 attempts while giving 11 goal assists.
Ameliaranne Wells, who came on for the third quarter, made two from two in the shooting circle.
Veteran Silver Ferns centre Laura Langman topped the goal assist statistics for New Zealand with 16, while Kimberly Ravaillion and Medhurst led the Diamonds with 11 assists each.
The final two games of the tournament will be played in Australia.