New Zealand completed their whitewash of Bangladesh in the one-day series with a three-wicket victory in Christchurch.

Having enjoyed easy wins in the previous two matches, the hosts this time were made to work for their victory after Bangladesh set them a reasonable target of 242.

It's all about numbers

New Zealand showed improvement in their death bowling to restrict Bangladesh to 241 for nine after the visitors were 191 for four heading into the final 10 overs.

But what should have been a relatively straightforward run chase produced something of a nervy climax as New Zealand went from a comfortable 195 for five to 210 for seven in the space of three overs, still requiring 32 runs to win, albeit with more than 10 overs in which to do it.

It was two quick wickets by all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who finished with four for 33 from his 10 overs, that gave Bangladesh some hope.

First he enticed Martin Guptill to hole out nine runs short of his second one-day century then he bowled Neil Broom (18) before taking a smart catch to end Jacob Oram's stay.

But James Franklin (19 not out) - with the aid of a runner because of a bruised heel - and Ian Butler (13 no) got the home side across the line with 31 balls to spare.

Guptill's classy knock of 91 was the highlight of the New Zealand innings. It was the right-hander's seventh half-century and his 91-ball innings included some lovely drives down the ground, two in particular off Shahadat Hossain (none for 39 off 5.5 overs).

Rubel Hossain (one for 55 off 10) also came in for some early punishment as Guptill picked off three successive boundaries in his third over. The right-armer did however have the consolation of taking the early wicket of Brendon McCullum (nine) whose lean trot continued.

Guptill never relaxed the pace even when Peter Ingram (25) and Ross Taylor (three) departed in quick succession as Shakib struck in his first spell.

Instead he and his captain Daniel Vettori turned the pressure on the Bangladeshis, whose fielding once again let them down.

Top Performer: Martin Guptill

Vettori was dropped twice. His first life came when he was on six, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim failing to get hold of a slight edge.

He was dropped again on 26 having just launched Mahmudullah for a huge six.

But the New Zealand skipper had added just eight more runs to his total courtesy of successive boundaries when a smart diving catch by Aftab Ahmed finally gave Mahmudullah his first scalp and had New Zealand at 160 for four.

Guptill was next to depart, holing out to Tamim Iqbal at long off and then Shakib struck in his next over to remove Broom with Oram following him shortly after after sending a Naeem Islam delivery straight to the Bangladesh captain.

Earlier, Imrul Kayes struck his first century as the tourists set NZ a testing target of 242 in the final one-day international.

Tamim Iqbal was out in the first over to Tim Southee, but the tourists - seeking a consolation win in the three-match series - responded well, with Mohammad Ashraful (31) and Shakib al Hasan (36) providing valuable support for Kayes (101).

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Kayes was finally undone by a Daniel Vettori delivery as the tourists finished their 50 overs on 241 for nine in Christchurch, with the New Zealand captain and Southee finishing with three wickets apiece.

With new Black Caps coach Mark Greatbatch seeking a clean sweep in his first series in charge, the hosts made a strong start.

Southee, having been hit for two fours in five balls to start the match, dismissed Iqbal (eight) with the final ball of the first over, bowling the opener off an inside edge.

The tourists recovered and had reached 41 when Aftab Ahmed was out for 18, caught by Southee at third man trying to steer away Andy McKay's short delivery.

Ashraful was a stabling influence on the tourists' innings, but was out in the 21st over, caught behind by Brendon McCullum off the bowling of Jacob Oram.

Kayes continued to build and made his 50 with steady support from Al Hasan.

But Al Hasan became Southee's second victim in the 39th over, caught by Ross Taylor at midwicket.

Mushfiqur Rahim (four) and Mahmudullah (six) fell cheaply and Kayes was bowled by Vettori as the Bangladesh challenge wilted with the loss of three wickets in four overs.

Naeem Islam followed for 10 and Shahadat Hossain was run out for four off the final ball.