The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 33-6 in Wellington to secure second place in the TriNations and put Australia in last place.
The Wallabies were the first to score after Dan Carter missed an early penalty but from then on the All Blacks took control of the match to lead 16-6 at half time.
The score line probably flatters the All Blacks as Australia were trailing but capitulated in the final five minutes in which they conceded two converted tries.
Two minutes earlier the Wallabies were right in the match and were pressing hard a metre out from the All Black try line.
It was the All Blacks night though as they outscored the Wallabies by three tries to nil.
In beating Australia, New Zealand avoided their worst-ever home season.
Winger Cory Jane scored a first half try off a high kick from Carter and Ma'a Nonu touched down in the second half try from a Carter in-pass.
Winger Joe Rokocoko added his 45th test try on the fulltime whistle, from an initial cut-out pass from Carter, to seal New Zealand's third-straight win over Australia this year.
Carter missed his first shot at goal, then landed three conversions and four penalties to finish with seven goals from eight attempts, passing 100 points in tests at Wellington.
Australia's only points came from a penalty to Matt Giteau and dropgoal to Berrick Barnes.
South Africa had previously clinched the 2009 Tri-Nations title with five wins from six matches. New Zealand finished second with three wins from six games, all at Australia's expense, while Australia had only one win in six matches.
New Zealand entered the match under intense pressure after a series of poor performances this season, notably last week's 32-29 loss to South Africa which surrendered the Tri-Nations title it had held for the past two years.
A loss on Saturday would have been New Zealand's third at home this year - the worst record in its history - but it shrugged off that prospect and a tide of public criticism with an emphatic performance.
The All Blacks dominated set pieces, repairing a lineout which was dysfunctional last weekend, and overwhelmed Australia at the breakdown, attacking that area with greater numbers and urgency than the Wallabies.
Jane, who won a starting place in the absence of the injured Sitiveni Sivivatu, helped ignite the New Zealand backline with a series of deft touches and strong runs.
"It was another torrid test match. They don't get any easier," New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said.
"We were under pressure but there was a belief right across the squad, among the coaches, managers and players that what we had was going to be enough.
"To come off last week and produce a performance like that, we can be very proud."
The All Blacks' win was their sixth in seven matches against Australia since New Zealander Robbie Deans became coach of the Wallabies last year.
Australia took an early lead with a seventh-minute penalty to Matt Giteau but Carter put New Zealand ahead 9-3 with goals in the 13th, 16th and 21st minutes.
Berrick Barnes cut the lead to 9-6 with a dropgoal from a penalty advantage in the 28th minute, after a high tackle for which All Blacks center Isaia Toeava was sin-binned.
Jane's try came while the All Blacks were reduced to 14 men.
Carter kicked high towards the Wallabies' left flank and Jane won the ball in the air, then stepped through the last of Australia's defense.
Carter's conversion gave the All Blacks a 16-6 halftime lead and he put them ahead 19-6 with a penalty five minutes into the second half.
That scoreline remained until the 75th minute when Nonu scored off a deft inside flick from Carter. Rokocoko, who had previously been struggling for form, lifted some personal pressure with his try on fulltime.
"We prepared well for the game and the boys were determined to play well but there were a couple of areas in which we were lacking tonight," Australia captain George Smith said.
Final score New Zealand 33 Australia 6
Scorers
New Zealand
Tries - Corey Jane, Ma'a Nonu,Joe Rokocoko,
Pen - Dan Carter 4
Con - Dan Carter 3
Drop -
Cards - Isaia Toeava (29m Yellow)
Australia
Tries -
Pen - Matt Giteau
Con -
Drop -Berrick Barnes
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Wayne Barnes (England)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Assessor: Andrew Cole (Australia)
Teams (15-1)
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Hosea Gear.
Australia: James O'Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, George Smith (captain), David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, Mark Chisholm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Pek Cowan, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Luke Burgess, Quade Cooper, Peter Hynes.
