The Kiwis won each quarter convincingly, but still remain untested under any sort of pressure as they look to win their first World Cup since 2003.
They combined some superb, flowing netball with spells of patchy play, but finished with a flourish in a dominant final quarter.
Goal shooter Bailey Mes grew into her game as the first quarter progressed, finding space in the circle and showing increasing confidence on the shot.
With Shannon Francois running the midcourt from centre, pushing Laura Langman back to wing defence, New Zealand's feed into the circle lacked its customary precision.
Barbados goal keeper Shonette Bruce kept Mes under constant pressure, generating turnovers with a series of deflections.
But world No 9 Barbados couldn't convert the possession into points, and the Kiwis strolled out to a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
New Zealand worked hard to up the defensive through-court pressure in the second spell.
They shut down the supply of ball so, although Barbados shooters Shonica Wharton and Nikita Piggott missed just one shot, they were only allowed seven attempts.
In contrast, Mes and Maria Tutaia missed only three of their 18 shots on goal to give the New Zealanders a 36-13 lead at halftime.
New Zealand coach Waimarama Taumaunu emptied her bench at the break, switching Langman back to centre and bringing Kayla Cullen on at wing defence.
At the back, young keeper Phoenix Karaka had her first World Cup start, coming on to partner veteran campaigner Leana de Bruin, contesting her fifth world tournament.
Mes, who sank 24 from 31, and Tutaia (12 from 15) were replaced by Malia Paseka and Jodi Brown for the final 30 minutes.
The new combinations started strongly, powering out to a 41-14 lead before Barbados worked their way back and constructed their best quarter of the match to hold New Zealand to a 53-24 lead at the three-quarter mark.
But the Silver Ferns' fitness and patience paid off in the final quarter, which they won 20-4, to wrap up the win.
