New Zealand have to chase down only 219 to win the first one-day international after Sri Lanka struggled to post a competitive target in Christchurch.
The tourists were reduced to 16-2 inside the opening eight overs as Adam Milne dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne and experienced left-hander Kumar Sangakkara on his way to figures of 2-47.
When Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews lost their wickets, Sri Lanka found themselves languishing at 82-4.
Mahela Jayawardene led the fight back with 102 off 164 balls as the visitors headed closer to reasonable total.
However, late wickets from Mitchell McClenaghan [4-36] restricted Sri Lanka's progress before they ended with 218-9 from their 50 overs.
