New Zealand need to bowl as well as they did at the start of Australia's innings in the first one-day international in Auckland if they are to wrap up the series on Thursday, according to all-rounder Mitchell Santner.

The hosts reduced Australia to 67 for six inside 19 overs as they chased New Zealand's 286-9 at Eden Park before all-rounder Marcus Stoinis almost single-handedly won the game with a blazing 146 not out.

"All the bowlers can take some positives out of the game," Santner said on Wednesday. "We bowled really well at the start and to take those early wickets was crucial... it put us ahead of the game.

"We have to do more of the same. Be very patient on a good length and build pressure that way rather than hope for miracle balls at the start."

McLean Park, however, has morphed over the years from an elongated oval into a more rectangular shape with short square boundaries.

"Your length changes a bit and you err on the fuller side. You want to get hit straight rather than square so I guess adapting is the key."

The visitors, who are already missing regular captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, suffered a blow on Wednesday with wicketkeeper and stand-in captain Matthew Wade sent home to recover from a back injury.

Despite having to countenance something of the unknown in the series with so many new faces in the Australian team, Santner added his side were only concerned with winning the Chappell-Hadlee trophy back after losing it in a 3-0 series loss across the Tasman before Christmas.