The White Ferns' World Twenty20 series is effectively over after a convincing loss 33-run loss to Australia in Guyana.
Alyssa Healy hit her third straight half-century to help Australia to 7-153, before quick Megan Schutt claimed three wickets to help roll the White Ferns for 120.
Schutt's haul took her to the top of the wicket-taking column for the competition with seven, after New Zealand had looked in the hunt at 4-94 with seven overs to go.
Sophie Molineux and Delissa Kimmince also claimed two scalps each, while Ashleigh Gardner got the key wicket of Suzie Bates lbw for 48, who was the lone bright spot for the Kiwis.
But Healy was again the star, as she added two dismissals with the gloves to her 53 from 38 balls at the top of the innings for Australia.
The form player of the competition's opening week, Healy was dominant down the ground as she belted eight boundaries and New Zealand were left to rue a simple dropped catch when she was on 11.
The knock took her tournament tally of runs to 157 at an average of 78.5 and strike rate of 160.2, including the second-fastest women's T20 half-century in 21 balls against Ireland on Monday (NZ time).
Offspinner Leigh Kasperek (3-25) led the spirited fightback for New Zealand as Australia faltered following Healy's dismissal, while Sophie Devine also claimed 2-37.
But early wickets to Schutt and Ellyse Perry (1-24) meant the pressure was always on the White Ferns in the chase as their tournament hopes were all but ended.
The win marked Australia's third consecutive win to start the tournament and their 12th straight in the format, with Sunday morning's clash with India set to decide top spot in their group.
AAP
