The trans-Tasman bowls series is locked at one Test each after the New Zealand women edged to a victory on countback, but the men were outplayed by Australia on day one in Christchurch.
The New Zealand women had trailed three matches to one going into the third and final round on Tuesday.
However, wins by Val Smith and Jo Edwards in the pairs, and by Selina Goddard, Kirsten Griffin and Mandy Boyd in the triples drew them level at 3-3.
The respective scorelines of 24-11 and 15-13 gave the Black Jacks the Test on countback by a differential of 14 shots.
Australia won the men's Test 4-2, with New Zealand's two successes coming from Mike Nagy and Ali Forsyth in their two pairs matches.
After the sides shared the morning pairs and triples, Australia took control in the second round.
Australian Aron Sherriff beat Forsyth 21-7 in their singles, while the four of Wayne Ruediger, Ray Pearse, Nathan Rice and Mark Casey downed the home combination of Nagy, Andrew Kelly, Shannon McIlroy, Paul Girdler 18-8.
