McBride put space between her skiff and her four rivals, winning by 9sec to book her spot in the semifinals on Friday.
McBride was one of three New Zealand crews to qualify straight through to the semifinals.
She was joined by women's coxless pair Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast, who flew out of the blocks to win their heat and progress straight to the semifinals, and the men's quad, which flew home for second to claim one of two available spots in their heat providing a direct route to the semifinals.
Other heat winners were Adam Ling in the lightweight men's singles, who heads to the quarterfinals and the all conquering coxless pair of Eric Murray and Hamish Bond who also progressed to the quarterfinals. Mahe Drysdale reached the quarterfinals with a time of 6min 49.05sec to win his heat of the men's singles.
The lightweight men's double will head to the quarterfinals after finishing third, as will single sculler Fiona Bourke, who finished third in her heat.
Sophie Mackenzie and Julia Edward were just in behind Denmark in the lightweight women's double heat, securing a quarterfinal spot in the progress.
The men's four heads to the repechage tonight after finishing fourth.
The remaining New Zealand crews of the women's quad, the men's and women's double, the lightweight men's four and the men's and women's eight were to race their heats this morning.
