The Blackcaps have slipped behind Australia in the world test cricket rankings, despite the Aussies' disastrous tour of South Africa last month.
New Zealand are now ranked fourth in the world in the game's longest format.
Kane Williamson and the team had overtaken the Aussies at the previous rankings update, moving up to third, but now the positions have been reversed.
India remain on top, ahead of South Africa.
Australia won the first of four tests against the Proteas, but capitulated in the final three encounters amid ugly scenes of sledging and ball-tampering.
In their last test series, the Blackcaps accounted for fifth-ranked England 1-0 in a two-test home series.
World test rankings
1 India
2 South Africa
3 Australia
4 New Zealand
5 England
6 Sir Lanka
7 Pakistan
8 Bangladesh
9 West Indies
10 Zimbabwe
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