The Blackcaps are limping to the World Cup semi-finals, after a comprehensive 119-run defeat at the hands of a revitalised England on Thursday (NZT).
Despite a demoralising week, in which New Zealand have gone from an undefeated cricket side to a confused one, they have two feet and one arm in the final four, where they will play India or Australia next week.
England flat out bullied the Blackcaps at the Riverside Ground in Durham, dominating from the outset, with Johnny Bairstow and Jason Roy making hay on a flat wicket.
The two right-handers plundered the New Zealand attack to all parts for the first hour, putting on 123 for the first wicket, before Roy departed for 60 in the 19th over.
Jimmy Neesham, the pick of the Blackcaps bowlers, had Roy caught at mid-off by Kane Williamson in his second over.
But Bairstow continued the batting assault, powering his way to a second straight World Cup century.
The Yorkshireman struck 15 fours and a six in a 99-ball 106 - his third ton in as many games against New Zealand.
Staring down the barrel of a 400-run target, the New Zealand bowlers pulled things back remarkably well in the final 20 overs.
Bairstow and Root (24) fell within an over of each other, which triggered a serious case of the wobbles for the hosts, who knew a win would secure their safe passage into the knockout stages.
Neesham, Trent Boult and Matt Henry took two wickets apiece, as the Blackcaps restricted England to 117/7 from the final 20 overs.
Only Eion Morgan (42) was able to generate a run rate, as England stuttered their way to 305/8.
But 306 would be more than enough for a batting unit lacking in confidence and form, outside of their skipper Williamson.
And he was at the crease in the first over for the fourth time in the tournament, when Henry Nicholls was trapped in front by Chris Woakes for a first-ball duck.
The Cantabrian would have been cross with himself, when he watched the replay, which showed the ball was missing off stump.
Nicholls didn't review.
Martin Guptill's poor run continued, this time strangled down the leg side by a rising ball from the impressive Jofra Archer for a single-digit score.
Williamson and Ross Taylor set about restoring the innings, but a moment of madness, after a moment of bad luck, ended New Zealand's hopes.
Williamson was unfortunately run out at the non-striker's end, when Taylor smashed a drive past Mark Wood, but the England quick got a finger on the ball and it crashed into the stumps, with the Kiwi captain short of his ground.
An over later, Taylor ran himself out, criminally attempting a second run that wasn't there.
From that point, the result was never in doubt, aside from a brief flurry from Neesham and Tom Latham, who returned to form with a pacey half-century.
Mark Wood claimed three wickets, as New Zealand crumbled, all out for 186 in the 45th over.
The result means Pakistan will require a 316-run win against Bangladesh on Saturday.
New Zealand's path to the semi-finals has been hampered by bemusing selections, poor batting form and the worst opening partnership at the tournament.
If Australia beat South Africa in their final game on Sunday, the Blackcaps will meet their trans-Tasman rivals next week in the final four.
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