Some stiff resistance from the Zimbabwean lower order merely delayed the inevitable as New Zealand won the second ODI by 141 runs in Whangarei on Monday.
Rob Nicol proved his worth in both innings, scoring 146 runs in the New Zealand total - the fifth highest score by a New Zealander - before securing the crucial wicket of Tatenda Taibu for 50 en route to a comfortable win.
They didn't have everything their own way did New Zealand, particularly in the middle order where Taibu and Elton Chigumbura (63) battled to an 80-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
But wickets fell in quick succession when both batsmen departed within five overs before finishing on 8-231 to the delight of the 4,486 people who witnessed New Zealand's first one day international in Whangarei.
The result means New Zealand won the series 2-0, with the third game in Napier now nothing more than a dead rubber.
After being set 373 for victory, the tourists got off to the worst possible start by losing Hamilton Masakadza in the second over of the match.
From there the visitors collapsed, losing 5-55 runs to the delight of the Cobham Oval crowd.
It looked as if the match would finish within the hour, but the sixth wicket partnership ensured the record of New Zealand's highest winning margin (290 runs against Ireland in 2008) would elude the hosts on this particular occasion.
Towards the end of the match, Dean Brownlie jogged off the field after dropping a catch at cow corner that looked to have affected his left ring finger.
Earlier, a fine century to Rob Nicol and hearty contributions from Martin Guptill, Jacob Oram and Tom Latham saw New Zealand post their third highest ODI score of 372-6.
Nicol's 146 was a patient, anchoring innings and he was unlucky not to carry his bat with eight balls remaining in the innings.
Guptill's knock of 77 couldn't have been any more contrasting, going after the ball and complementing his fellow opener on the way to a 131-run opening stand.
Oram's brutal 28-ball 59 and a blitzing 48 from 28 balls to Latham ensured Zimbabwe would have to bat out of their skin for victory.
