Mitch McClenaghan picked up a five-wicket bag, but the Black Caps couldn't manage a win as the West Indies eased to a two-wicket victory in the first one-day international at Eden Park on Thursday.
The Windies looked to have the game all but wrapped up after bowling out New Zealand for 156 early in the 43rd over after winning the toss.
But McClenaghan kept the Kiwis in the match with his first international five-wicket haul, his career-best 5-58 off 9.3 overs marred only by six wides and a no ball.
He picked up the first three wickets, removing Johnson Charles for nine, Kieran Powell (four) and Darren Bravo (14) to leave the West Indies 3-32 midway through the eighth over.
They continued to lose wickets regularly, but Darren Sammy saw them home, belting five fours and three sixes in his 43 from 27 balls as the visitors signed off the win at 157-8 halfway through the 28th over.
Extras cost the Black Caps dearly: they conceded 23, including 14 wides, and only the ever-efficient Kyle Mills (2-37) managed to bowl his eight overs without adding to the total.
New Zealand made nine changes to the squad that comprehensively beat the West Indies 2-0 in the recent three-Test series, and were expected to continue their domination of a side missing their three best ODI players in Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Marlon Samuels.
But the Black Caps struggled from the outset, and only a staunch rearguard action from Nathan McCullum and McClenaghan, who put on 44 runs for the final wicket, boosted them past 150.
Right-arm medium pacer Ravi Rampaul removed returning openers Jesse Ryder and Martin Guptill early, and the Kiwis never really recovered.
Wobbling at 3-2 after four overs, the Black Caps continued to lose wickets regularly.
Kane Williamson went for eight, and Ross Taylor couldn't continue his golden run with the bat from the Test series, run out for three by a superb direct hit from Jason Holder.
Skipper Brendon McCullum's 51 steadied the innings, leading the way along with brother Nathan's 64-ball 47.
Dwayne Bravo proved the chief destroyer for the West Indies, picking up 4-44 from his 10 overs, including the key wicket of Brendon McCullum.
The second of five one-dayers is in Napier on Sunday, with two T20 internationals scheduled for Auckland and Wellington on January 11 and 15.
