Whitelock powered a shot home from the top of the goalmouth with just 68 seconds left in the match to net the equaliser after Dutch skipper Maartje Paumen had given her side the lead just before half-time.
The result means the No 4-ranked Kiwis are now assured of a place in the last eight with one pool match left to play.
They are now second in Pool A with seven points behind the unbeaten Dutch on 10 with a 3-1 record.
Whitelock's effort was the first goal the Dutch have conceded in the tournament and the first points they have dropped.
Paumen had given her side the lead with time running out in the first half after crashing a penalty corner shot past goalkeeper Sally Rutherford and in off the post.
Rutherford produced a stunning save soon after to keep the scores level, one of four she made in the match.
The Kiwis produced an impressive performance and hit the post from a penalty corner, but looked likely to go unrewarded until Whitelock's late strike.
With her back to goal she hit a bouncing ball first-time to send it past the outstretched Joyce Sombrek in the Dutch goal.
