The Men in Black edged England 24-5 in their final Pool B encounter tonight and will meet Australia in the knockout stages tomorrow afternoon.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens was able to give all 12 of his players a start during pool play as Dylan Collier began the game against England to complete the dozen.
After easy victories over Canada and Papua New Guinea earlier today, England always loomed as New Zealand's biggest challenge in Pool B.
The first half was a tight affair as James Rodwell put England on the board early as New Zealand bungled the kick-off.
They scraped their way back in to the contest though via Rieko Ioane - a 17-year-old who needed a dispensation to play at the tournament - as they squared the ledger.
Bay of Plenty's Scott Curry produced a brilliant solo try in the second spell as New Zealand began to get control of the game.
Their veteran players came to the fore, which helped their cause and a small but vocal crowd rallied behind them.
When Sherwin Stowers crossed with around a minute left, the result was iced and New Zealand could look ahead to tomorrow as they try to defend their Wellington crown. Rieko Ioane completed his brace as the hooter went.
New Zealand 24 (Rieko Ioane 2, Scott Curry, Sherwin Stowers tries; Gillies Kaka con, Beaudein Waaka con)
England 5 (James Rodwell try
HT: 5-5
5.25pm: Two from two for New Zealand
New Zealand have made it two from two at Sevens Wellington after they disposed of Papua New Guinea 38-7.
PNG last played in Wellington in 2011 and they were given a stiff welcome on their return by a New Zealand side who seem motivated to defend their title.
New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens benched his starters for the game against PNG this afternoon with the likes of captain DJ Forbes, pivot Gillies Kaka and outside back Sherwin Stowers given a spell.
It was hard to know whether Tietjens did it because he thought his squad could do a job against PNG or if he was unhappy with his men who beat Canada 26-5 in their opening game but had some scratchy moments during the contest.
New Zealand were rarely pushed by PNG as they took a 19-0 lead to the break and when Jack Goodhue completed his brace early in the second spell, the result was never in doubt.
Wellington's Ambrose Curtis also completed a double during the second stanza with Beaudein Waaka in nice form in the backs.
New Zealand finish pool play against England tonight in a game that will likely decide who finishes at the top of Pool B
New Zealand 38 (Jack Goodhue 2, Ambrose Curtis 2, Beaudein Waaka, Dylan Collier tries; Waaka 4 con)
Papua New Guinea 7 (Wesley Vali try; Eugene Tokavai)
HT: 19-0
2.35pm: New Zealand open with win
New Zealand have made a smooth start to their Sevens Wellington campaign with a 26-5 win over Canada in their opening Pool B game.
Canada are a competitive side on the world series circuit but New Zealand made light work of them this afternoon.
A windy and sparsely-populated Westpac Stadium has greeted the sides but there's a good atmosphere at the venue.
New Zealand were without the experience of Tim Mikkelson who was ruled out earlier in the week with a groin injury.
Coach Gordon Tietjens took the opportunity to add another young player to his side in Wellington's Murphy Taramai, while his 12-strong squad for the tournament featured four potential debutants in Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Beaudein Waaka and Dylan Collier.
New Zealand have made a slow start to this season's world series and were in third place on the overall standings heading in to this weekend's event.
Captain DJ Forbes said the Wellington tournament, where New Zealand are the defending champions, was the perfect place for them to put life in to their season.
Later this afternoon, New Zealand will meet Papua New Guinea who have returned to Wellington after a four-year hiatus, before playing England in the final game of day one at 9pm.
Earlier in the day, South Africa lost 22-5 in their Pool A match against France in a major upset. South Africa are the series leaders after the first three rounds.
New Zealand 26 (Sherwin Stowers, Rieko Ioane, Sam Dickson, Beaudein Waaka tries; Gillies Kaka 2 con, Waaka con)
Canada 5 (Liam Underwood try)
HT: 19-0
- NZME.
By Daniel Richardson of NZME. News Service
