Australia deserve the title of best side in the world if they top the International Cricket Council's Test rankings, according to Brendon McCullum.
Steve Smith's team will reclaim the No.1 Test ranking for the first time since 2014 if they draw or win the second trans-Tasman clash, which starts in Christchurch on Saturday.
The merits of the ICC's points-based system are often critiqued.
Some pundits have questioned whether Australia deserve the tag of world's best, having lost their previous away series against England, Pakistan and India.
"It is a fair barometer of the best team in the world," outgoing New Zealand skipper McCullum said of the Test rankings.
"Obviously Australia is pushing for that at the moment."
NZ swing king Trent Boult went a step further earlier this week, suggesting the tourists were "the best team in the world".
McCullum naturally hopes his 101-Test career ends in victory; that Australia are denied the $1 million cash prize and Test championship mace awarded by the ICC to the top-ranked team.
But he dismissed the idea it was any extra motivation as the Black Caps battle to level the two-Test series.
"That's certainly not our motivation, to stop them being No.1. It's trying to get the result," he said.
Smith has spoken at length about his desire to not only retain the No.1 ranking but hold onto it for dear life.
The side's previous stint at No.1 lasted a month.
"It's satisfying to get that ranking. I think that would be really good for us as a group," he said.
"But when you're No.1, you want to stretch that distance between the teams.
"That's making sure we play well away from home and that's really important for us."
In that regard, a crushing 2-0 away series win in foreign conditions would also earn a big tick of approval from Smith.
"Both are big motivations (winning away and the No.1 ranking)," the skipper said.
"We want to be No.1 in the world in every format of the game and if we win this week we'll be No.1 in two of those formats.
"We do want to win away from home as well, that's massive on my agenda."
Australia will slip to third in the Test rankings if they lose the upcoming Hagley Oval clash.
TEST RANKINGS PRIOR TO TRANS-TASMAN SERIES
1: India (110 rating)
2: Australia (109 rating)
3: South Africa (109 rating).
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