New Zealand need to bowl as well as they did at the start of Australia's innings in the first one-day international in Auckland if they are to wrap up the series on Thursday, according to allrounder Mitchell Santner.

The hosts reduced Australia to 67 for six inside 19 overs as they chased at Eden Park before allrounder Marcus Stoinis almost won the game with a blazing 146 notout.

"All the bowlers can take some positives out of the game," Santner said on Wednesday. "We bowled really well at the start and to take those early wickets was crucial... it put us ahead.

"We have to do more of the same. Be patient on a good length and build pressure that way rather than hope for miracle balls at the start"