New Zealand completed the most successful 12 months in their 84-year Test cricket history when they wrapped up an eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Christchurch.
The win with more than a day to spare was the Black Caps' fifth from nine Tests in 2014, the most victories they have registered in a calendar year, and it put them in an unbeatable position in the two-match series.
Two Tests this year were drawn while the two losses came against the West Indies in Port of Spain and Pakistan in Abu Dhabi before the Black Caps bounced back in both of those series.
Under the captaincy of Brendon McCullum, New Zealand haven't lost a series for 18 months, having notched three wins and two draws from their last five.
They have won seven of their last 11 Tests - a remarkable strike rate given it took 40 years to notch their first seven wins.
Sri Lanka were dismissed for 407 before lunch on Monday, with paceman Tim Southee (4-91) effectively dashing any hopes of a late rearguard after the tourists resumed at 5-293.
The hosts knocked off the required 105 runs soon after tea for the loss of two wickets with Ross Taylor (39) and Kane Williamson (31) remaining not out as New Zealand christened their new Test venue, Hagley Oval, in style.
The win encapsulated the year, based around McCullum's forthright batting and the incisive new ball combination of Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
McCullum's spectacular 195 helped smash his country's record for runs in a year (1164) while Boult's 34 wickets was one more than Southee, with their hauls bettered by just six other bowlers in 2014.
Batsman Kane Williamson and offspinner Mark Craig also produced some big numbers while BJ Watling led the world's wicketkeepers with 40 dismissals for the year.
McCullum was impressed by every aspect of Hagley Oval, purpose-built following the devastating 2011 Canterbury earthquake, allowing the city to host its first Test for eight years.
"That point certainly wasn't lost on us," said the skipper.
"To open the new ground in the manner that we have done is fitting for the first Test here."
NEW ZEALAND'S YEAR TO SAVOUR
Feb 6-10, Auckland, beat India by 40 runs
Feb 14-18, Wellington, drew with India
June 8-12, Kingston, beat West Indies by 186 runs
June 16-20, Port of Spain, lost to West Indies by 10 wickets
June 26-30, Bridgetown, beat West Indies by 53 runs
Nov 9-13, Abu Dhabi, lost to Pakistan by 248 runs
Nov 17-21, Dubai, drew with Pakistan
Nov 26-30, Sharjah, beat Pakistan by an innings and 80 runs
Nov 26-29, Christchurch, beat Sri Lanka by 8 wickets
BEST YEARS
2014 - 5 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses
1998 - 4, 0, 2
2002 - 4, 2, 2
1985 - 4, 3, 3
1999 - 4, 6, 3
2008 - 4, 4, 6
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