The minor premiers' gritty performance earned a rematch with two-time nemesis New South Wales in Sydney next Monday.
The Magic, pipped by a goal in their major semifinal against the Swifts last Monday, made home court advantage count at Mystery Creek.
New Zealand's solitary top-four presence now face the prospect of defeating the Swifts when it counts the most - and also become the first New Zealand side to win across the Tasman.
Trailing by five into the run home, the Thunderbirds rallied ominously and caused plenty of anxiety among the capacity crowd before league MVP Casey Williams lived up to her tag - snatching key intercepts and making deflections despite needing treatment after clattering into a courtside bench.
While Williams was showing scant regard for her safety, the peerless Irene van Dyk showed a veteran's poise in the attacking circle.
A lackadaisical third quarter proved the Magic's downfall against the Swifts, but they atoned in style tonight, seizing the crucial momentum shift with seven unanswered goals to lead 36-27 early in the third quarter.
Van Dyk crucially reigned over the best defence Australia and England could muster - Mo'onia Gerrard and Geva Mentor - while the Magic's midcourt and astute positional defensive play from Williams Jodi Tod harried the Thunderbirds to such an extent Natalie Medhurst and Kate Beveridge were held scoreless for more than six minutes.
Until the Magic's third quarter burst, there was little in a contest marked by caginess practically up to the first centre pass.
Magic coach Noeline Taurua produced another left field selection selection, starting Silver Fern Laura Langman at wing attack for the first time in her senior career - a move countered by the Thunderbirds once they spied the team sheet.
Langman, who played centre against the Swifts, swapped bibs with captain Amigene Metcalfe in a bid to smooth the supply lines to van Dyk and Maria Tutaia.
Thunderbirds coach Jane Woodland reacted by starting abrasive Australian international Mo'onia Gerrard to mark up on Langman instead of Bianca Reddy.
However, Gerrard was back at goal defence during the second quarter, diverting her attention to controlling the imperious van Dyk, who still managed to goal 31 from 32.
The Silver Ferns ace was again started at goal attack - Taurua's opening selection gamble in the play-offs - and had no difficulty reprising her immaculate form.
A rare miss with four minutes to play in the opening spell represented her first blemish in nine quarters in her unfamiliar role, and it proved an aberration.
Despite a roving commission, Van Dyk still positioned herself under the hoop at key moments and, back in her comfort zone, enabled the Magic to hold a 29-25 lead at halftime.
Tutaia, in a repeat of the major semifinal loss to the Swifts started impressively but then cooled as van Dyk assumed the dominant role.
However, she also held her nerve in the dying minutes to help save the Magic from experiencing the agony of another narrow loss, a week after they were pipped by the Swifts 57-56.
Tutaia goaled 20 from 23, Medhurst nailed 20 from 22 for the Thunderbirds, while Beveridge was the point of difference with 29 from 34 undermining her side's total.
