Another top knock from Amelia Kerr was not enough for the White Ferns to complete a clean sweep of the ODI series against India in Queenstown.
Sneh Rana celebrates the wicket of Lauren Downs Photo: PHOTOSPORT
India went into Thursday's final game down 4-0 but managed to challenge the New Zealanders in a close finish and walk away with a six wicket win.
The White Ferns won the toss and opted to bat first, putting on 251-9 from their 50 overs.
New Zealand were cruising along at 83-1 after 15 overs and look set for a big total.
Amelia Kerr (66) passed the half century mark for the fourth time this series, in an innings in which she past 1000 runs and became the third fastest woman to the ODI career double of 1000 runs and 50 wickets.
Kerr averaged 117 runs over the series against India and took a record nine catches, to be named the player of the series.
Sophie Devine, Lauren Down and Hayley Jensen all reached 30 in the fifth game as the White Ferns recorded starts down the order.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana took two wickets each in the New Zealand innings.
In reply, Smriti Mandhana put in a player of the match performance with the bat, scoring a game-high 71 off 84 balls.
Harmanpreet Kaur (63) and captain Mithali Raj (54) were the other big contributors in the win.
Four of the seven bowlers used by the White Ferns picked up a wicket each as the home side let the Indian batters off with several dropped catches.
The White Ferns will be sweating on a thumb injury for Down as they now head into warm up games ahead of the Cricket World Cup.