Single sculler Mahe Drysdale appears in some of the best early season form of his career as he reclaimed his national title in a world class rowing field on Lake Karapiro.
Drysdale, who finished with a time of six minutes 48 seconds, edged double sculls world champ Nathan Cohen by less than two seconds to claim the victory.
Cohen beat Drysdale last year in the singles so Drysdale's relieved to have reclaimed his title, and is full of praise for Cohen.
The five-time world champion says Cohen would beat most other single scullers in the world and it's great to have such depth for a national championship.
World champion pairs member Eric Murray was third, while Peter Taylor, the 2009 world champion in the lightweight pairs, finished fourth.
Less than nine seconds separated all six rowers in the final.
Emma Twigg had it a lot easier in the woman's single scull final as she won for the fourth consecutive year ahead of Fiona Burke and Genevieve Armstrong.
The New Zealand team heads offshore mid-May to race in two World Cup meets before arriving in London five days before the Games.
