Rob Nicol atoned for his failure with the bat as he took four wickets in New Zealand's 90-run win over Zimbabwe in the first one-day international at Dunedin.

The hosts had to overcome early losses - not least that of opener Nicol for a duck - to post 248, thanks largely to Martin Guptill's 70.

It was a target Zimbabwe always looked unlikely to chase down as their top three went for just 10 between them, with Kyle Mills spearheading the hosts' attack in a haul of three for 26 and Nicol taking four for 19 as the tourists were bowled out for 158.

Stuart Matsikenyeri (one) was trapped leg before by Mills with just three runs on the board before opening partner Hamilton Masakadza was run out by Andrew Ellis while on seven.

Mills then removed Regis Chakabva as Nicol took the catch and already Zimbabwe looked on the brink of defeat.

Some resistance was provided by captain Brendan Taylor as he produced a 68-ball 58 featuring eight fours and a six, but he found little in the way of support before being caught by Ellis off Nicol.

Tail-ender Ray Price managed and unbeaten 26 but ran out of partners, with Nicol taking another two scalps as well as his two catches.

The Black Caps had the biggest Test victory in their history after thrashing the African tourists by an innings and 301 runs in the one-off match in Napier last week, bowling Zimbabwe out twice in a day en route to an impressive victory.

But the tourists provided a response today as they bowled New Zealand out for 248 having made early inroads and frustrated the hosts' middle order.

Put in to bat by Taylor, New Zealand's innings got off to the worst possible start as Zimbabwe struck in the very first over.

Nicol was deceived by late swing from Keegan Meth and could only edge to captain Taylor.

Zimbabwe wasted little time building on that success as Brendon McCullum followed in the very next over, the wicketkeeper and captain opting to leave one outside off stump from Kyle Jarvis but being caught out leg before wicket despite an unsuccessful appeal.

The Kiwis tried to steady themselves and Guptill (70) underpinned the resistance, Kane Williamson adding 35 in a partnership of 88 for the third wicket.

Williamson fell to Shingi Masakadza, caught and bowled and Guptill was the next to go, bowled by Elton Chigumbura.

There followed a spell of promising but largely frustrating contributions from Tom Latham (24), Dean Brownlie (19), Nathan McCullum (30) and Ellis (33) as the hosts finished 248 all out, Masakadza finishing with four for 46.