They were more assertive going forward, and frequently troubled the English defence, who conceded eight penalty corners.
Laura Unsworth pulled one back for England early on,but Stacey Michelsen's tap in six minutes from the end sealed the win.
That was fitting as Michelsen - back in a forward role after helping out at the back against China in the last pool game - and Punt were the outstanding players.
As befitting their status as senior players, they led by example against a team who have troubled the Black Sticks on big occasions.
They denied New Zealand an Olympic bronze in London - although that was more down to the Black Sticks having a shocker - and a chance for Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow this year.
There was no repeat yesterday.
"I thought the girls did really well today, I'm really pleased." said coach Mark Hager of the win, achieved in 37C heat.
"The composure and the ability to attack and defend well and to limit England to one goal and no field goals, I thought was pleasing."
Michelsen was pleased to have a strong game.
"I've been pretty rusty so it was good to play a little bit better in such an important game," she said.
Her key for the Australian game is for the Black Sticks to replicate the pressure they put on England.
"We came out really strong and that's something we've been working on, starting aggressively and that's something we'll try to do againstAustralia."
New Zealand were particularly assertive early in the final quarter, when England were searching for a way back into the match.
Scoring from only two of those eight penalty corner chances is something the Black Sticks will focus on in the day off before the semifinal.
Taking those opportunities will be critical against Australia.
New Zealand have never made a Champions Trophy final. Their best finish is third in 2011.
If they beat Australia they will face world No 1 the Netherlands, with whom they drew 1-1 this week, or No 3 Argentina.
"They are a good side," Hager said of Australia. "In the last 18 months they have been winning the big games, which is something our group is still learning to do.
"But hopefully if we have a strong game plan and execute it well, we are in with a good chance."
Player ticked off over drug
Central Mystics representative hockey player Claudia Hanham has been reprimanded for taking a prohibited substance.
The New Zealand Sports Tribunal said yesterday Hanham had taken the glucocorticosteroid, Prednisone.
Prednisone is a commonly prescribed medication, but is prohibited in sport.
Athletes need to apply for a special exemption if they require it for health reasons and wish to continue competing. Hanham had not applied for such an exemption.
Drug Free Sport New Zealand chief executive Graeme Steel says the case emphasises the need for athletes to understand the anti-doping rules around medications.
"As the tribunal points out, Ms Hanham is clearly not a drug cheat, but she's paid a high price for not adequately checking whether her medication was permitted in sport," he said.
Hanham admitted taking a prohibited substance after she returned a positive test in September this year.
She was prescribed Prednisone after suffering serious health problems and had searched for Prednisone on the prohibited list on the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) website, but did not find anything.
Steel says Wada's prohibited list details substances by categories and does not always include individual medication names, such as Prednisone.
He advised New Zealand athletes to check with Drug Free Sport NZ to clarify the status of medications in sport.
Steel says athletes should be alert to the fact that many commonly prescribed medications may be prohibited in sport.
Hanham has now applied for, and been granted, a therapeutic use exemption to take Prednisone and is free to play sport as she chooses.
