England Twenty20 international debutant Brydon Carse took three wickets on his Durham home ground as the world champions restricted New Zealand to 139-9 at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old South Africa-born paceman, in for the injured John Turner, finished with fine figures of 3-23 from his maximum four overs in the first of a four-match series.
Left-arm quick Luke Wood also took three wickets, following an expensive first over of the match that cost 18 runs, on his way to 3-37.
New Zealand slumped to 49-4 before Glenn Phillips revived the innings with 41 at better than a run-a-ball before he was well caught in the deep by Sam Curran off Wood.
After New Zealand lost the toss, Finn Allen launched the innings with three sixes in the opening over from Wood — a straight drive followed by two shots high over the legside.
But Wood, removed from the attack by Jos Buttler, returned to have Devon Conway (3) caught behind on the drive by the England captain and wicketkeeper to leave New Zealand 25-1 in the fourth over.
Carse then bowled the dangerous Allen (21) with a nip-backer as the batsman aimed legside.
Wood then clean bowled Tim Seifert, also going for a big shot.
New batsman Mark Chapman, however, hoisted leg-spinner Adil Rashid’s first ball for six only to fall for 11, defensively pushing forward, when bowled by off-spinner Moeen Ali as New Zealand’s collapse continued.
Rashid, Ali and their fellow spinner Liam Livingstone all took one wicket apiece.
