Zimbabwe fast bowler Kyle Jarvis' disciplined spell of six overs for one run at the start of the day set the platform for Keegan Meth and Shingirai Masakadza to rip out five wickets in the morning session, before Jarvis returned after lunch to claim three wickets in seven balls.
A stunning 5-ball 20 from Kane Williamson saw New Zealand over the line in Hamilton, as the hosts chased down Zimbabwe's 201 in Hamilton, with five wickets and two balls to spare.
New Zealand defeated Zimbabwe by 90 runs in the first one-day international on Friday as poor batting by the tourists undermined a creditable bowling effort.