They spent most of the day travelling from the Namibia capital Windhoek, where they had a week's preparation for two Test matches and a triangular ODI series involving Zimbabwe and India over the next month.

For months a row has raged in New Zealand about whether the country should send a cricket team to a country where president Robert Mugabe has been widely criticised for human rights abuses.

The New Zealand government has expressed its dismay at the tour but drew back from actually instructing the cricketers not to travel here.

For their part, the New Zealand cricket board insisted they had to fulfil their International Cricket Council "Future Tours Programme" commitment under pain of a two million dollars fine.

England found themselves in a similar position a year ago.

They went to Harare for just three one-day matches, declining to play Tests, with ICC approval, because it was recognised the young Zimbabwe team were not up to standard after 15 contracted white players went on strike alleging racism among the selectors.

Australia were also able to reduce their 2004 tour a few weeks later to three internationals, for the same reason.

Earlier in the year Sri Lanka had twice beaten a raw Zimbabwe side by more than an innings and 200 runs.

The Kiwis are scheduled to play a practice match among various Zimbabwe cricketers here Wednesday, but this might be delayed 24 hours in view of the later arrival.

But before the first Test begins at Harare Sports Club on Sunday there is good news for Zimbabwe with all-rounder Heath Streak returning to his Matabeleland farm from England on Tuesday

Streak's inclusion as vice captain in the home team's 14-man squad, having been released by his English county Warwickshire, will provide strength in both batting and bowling against the Kiwis.

He has also made his peace with the Zimbabwe Cricket board following his walk-out 16 months ago together with 14 other contracted white players after they alleged racism in the selection process.

Other former dissidents, Stuart Carlisle, Craig Wishart and Andy Blignaut are also included in the squad.

But not Ray Price (Worcester), Grant Flower (Essex), Sean Ervine (Hampshire) and Travis Friend, who has not reported in.

Streak was the top wicket taker in one-day matches during his three-months long England stay and top wicket taker in all matches for Warwicks.

New Zealand are wasting no time getting down to practice during the next four days, either at the Test venue Harare Sports Club or their Academy ground.

Zimbabwe will field their strongest batting line-up in almost two years, with Wishart, Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim and Streak supporting Brendan Taylor, Hamilton Masakadza and captain Tatenda Taibu.

Zimbabwe (From): Tatenda Taibu (capt), Heath Streak, Glen Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Graeme Cremer, Keith Dabengwa, Dion Ebrahim, Neil Ferreira, Anthony Ireland, Blessing Mahwire, Hamilton Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Brendan Taylor and Craig Wishart. Coach Phil Simmonds, manager Mohammad Meman

New Zealand (From) Stephan Fleming (capt), Daniel Vettori, James Marshall, Craig Cumming, Hamish Marshall, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Lou Vincent, Jacob Oram, Brendan McCullum, James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Paul Wiseman, Shane Bond and Chris Martin. Coach John Bracewell, manager Lindsay Crocker.

James Marshall, Cumming, Franklin, Wiseman and Marton will be replaced for the one-day series against Zimbabwe and India by Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Andre Adams and Jeeton Patel.