A fighting final quarter by Australia's men earned them a 4-2 win over New Zealand while the Black Sticks women were thumped 6-0 by the Hockeyroos in the first hockey internationals in Auckland.
New Zealand men went ahead twice at Lloyd Elsmore Park but let it slip in awful conditions to the Kookaburras who held their nerve to secure the win.
The teams had last met in pool play at the Rio Olympics, with the Kookaburras taking a 2-1 and Thursday's game was equally as tight.
Goals from Trent Mitton and Aran Zalewski sealed the deal for Australia who trailed at the break.
Meanwhile in the women's, Australia avenged their Rio Olympics quarter-final loss to the Black Sticks with Kathryn Slattery leading the way, scoring two goals and setting up another.
Despite both of the women's teams showing considerable rust, Australia were the team that recovered better with their defence setting up an attacking masterclass.
The teams will meet again in the second of a three match series on Saturday.
Newshub.
