And it was the Australian Diamonds that reaped the rewards of the new format to snatch the cup, winning the decider 12-11 in the Garden City.
The Silver Ferns won test four 62-57 earlier in the night which forced the 14-minute series decider for the first time.
The Diamonds won the opening two tests in Australia, but the Silver Ferns responded to win the latter two tests on home soil.
Technically it is Australia’s first win on New Zealand soil since 2021 and handed coach Stacey Marinkovich just her second victory in New Zealand since taking over as head coach.
The decider, played across two seven minute halves, started strongly for the Silver Ferns, the home side going up 3-0.
But the Diamonds responded quickly to level and then got themselves in front to lead 7-5 at the halftime.
The Silver Ferns were forced to manage several midcourters who started to cramp, leading to rotating substitutions.
Momentum swung to Australia yet again as the visitors crept out to four-goal lead.
The Silver Ferns fought for everything as Mila Reuelu-Buchanan picked up a critical tip to guide the Silver Ferns back to parity, 11-11.
But the Diamonds were smart, eating up time on the clock to win 12-11.
It ended on a deflating note with what appeared to be a serious injury to Diamonds defender Sunday Aryang.
Earlier, the Silver Ferns benefited from a massive second half to win the fourth test.
They struggled to get ball in the first half and trailed 17-12 at the first break and 33-27 at halftime.
Diamonds’ shooters Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin started to find their groove, off-loading to each other and dominating the back space.
The Diamonds’ attackers were patient, waiting for their shooters to roll off and pop at the last second to create the space.
Georgia Heffernan sighted Grace Nweke on the first second and gave a nice ball off to her shooter.
Her sister, Kate, let go of another long feed — which worked so well in the third test — from the transverse line to Nweke on the next play.
When they looked in early, things started to flow for the Silver Ferns.
It just seemed too easy for the Diamonds, who were in cruise control in the opening half.
Young Catherine Hall was injected at goal defence and lifted the defensive end, bringing Kelly Jackson into the game more.
They combined in a massive effort for the Silver Ferns and helped level the score 37-37 midway through the third quarter.
Maddy Gordon, who shifted to wing attack, offered more punch and created depth on the feed.
There was more fight and urgency from the Silver Ferns as they fought for everything.
But the Diamonds weathered the storm and remained calm to lead 46-43 at the break.
Jackson’s reach blocked consecutive shots and Hall cleaned up to come back within one.
They pressured a held ball to level and Jackson banked yet another rebound for the Silver Ferns to go up by three.
Momentum swung in the Silver Ferns favour as they led 57-51 and stormed home to win the test.
Constellation Cup
Fourth test scores
Silver Ferns 62
Grace Nweke 56/59, Georgia Heffernan 4/4,
Amelia Walmsley 1/2, Martina Salmon 1/1
Australian Diamonds 57
Sophie Garbin 29/35, Kiera Austin 22/28,
Georgie Horjus 1/5, Sophie Dwyer 5/5
Quarter scores: Australia 17-12, 33-27, 46-43.
Series decider scores
Australia 12
Sophie Garbin 7/8, Kiera Austin 5/8
Silver Ferns 11
Grace Nweke 9/12, Georgia Heffernan 2/3
Halftime: Australia 7-5
