The All Whites have made it four from four in Oceania World Cup qualifying after beating Tahiti 3-0 in Christchurch on Tuesday night.
Michael McGlinchey scored after three minutes and while they dominated the rest of the game, they were unable to add to that tally until late in the game when Chris Killen and McGlinchy scored again.
In the other match New Caledonia thrashed the Solomon Islands 5-0, meaning the All Whites can seal a place in the intercontinental play-off when they meet New Caledonia in the next qualifying matches in March.
The match in Christchurch threatened to boil over at times and eventually tempers flared late in the match with an all-in melee after New Zealand's two late goals prompting the Solomon Islands referee to call an end to the match.
Coach Ricki Herbert says his side struggled to get going and lacked some momentum, however they scored three good goals and the campaign continues.
