The second, from about 1985 to 1987, contained New Zealand's greatest player, Sir Richard Hadlee.
The third, the Stephen Fleming-led side of the turn of the century, was exceptionally balanced, and then we have this latest incarnation of what we now know as the Black Caps.
The first is more of a romantic nod to our cricket history than a genuine argument for greatness. After all, the team wouldn't win a test until 1956. In Martin Donnelly, Bert Sutcliffe and Jack Cowie they had three players who could make a case for inclusion in an all-time New Zealand XI, and if they could play some of the nations now considered full members by the ICC, they would surely win some.
Batsman Bert Sutcliffe.
"It was virtually impossible to get guys out and our bowling was light," said cricket historian, author and former national selector Don Neely.
"It was a very emotional time, and came after that test loss in 1946 [to Australia in Wellington, a beating so severe our near neighbours didn't deign to play New Zealand again for 27 years].
"But I don't think you could rank their performances with the other three periods."
Neely admits to a soft spot for the 1985-87 period, which he was involved with in a selection capacity.
Hadlee's 48 wickets in six tests against Australia in 1985-86; Bracewell's 10 wickets to beat them at Eden Park - the first time a New Zealand spinner had achieved the feat; John F. Reid, the fastest New Zealand batsman - and still 16th quickest overall - to 1000 test runs; Crowe's marvellous batting, notably 188 in Guyana, and his 119, 104 and 83 in successive tests against the mighty West Indies in 1987. Terrific feats.
"I don't think any other test batsman had put together three consecutive scores quite like that against that attack," Neely said.
"They had super catchers, with Ian Smith, Jeff Crowe and Jeremy Coney. Hadlee will say how blessed he was. Players knew their strengths and they were a very good team."
The 1999 to 2001 period illustrates the importance of outstanding players to lead the way, Neely says.
Chris Cairns developed into the world's best allrounder in that time; Stephen Fleming's captaincy came on "in leaps and bounds".
In England in 1999 Cairns was "just amazing", emphasising the old line that the true definition of an allrounder is someone capable of winning tests with bat or ball.
One man perfectly placed to judge the merits of the latter three periods is Martin Snedden. He played through the 1980s, was CEO during most of Fleming's reign and is now on the NZ Cricket board.
For the record, he doesn't think Brendon McCullum's side is there yet but believes they could be better than anything we've had before.
"It starts with the captain," Snedden says. "He might not be everybody's cup of tea and he'll have his moments with the bat but he's shown outstanding leadership at critical moments."
As a former seamer, Snedden could watch Trent Boult and Tim Southee bowl all day and, although he was largely unused in the United Arab Emirates airstrips, he likes what Neil Wagner brings to the attack.
But he reserves his highest praise for Kane Williamson. "It will be interesting watching him going forward. Hadlee aside, he could become New Zealand's greatest cricketer."
For Snedden, the greatest test teams still come down to a shootout between the mid-80s and the turn of the millennium.
If it was one-day cricket, he would have given the title without hesitation to Fleming's side, but the power of two might just swing it in favour of the 80s when it comes to tests - Crowe and Hadlee.
Batsman Stephen Fleming.
It was only long after retirement that Snedden came to fully appreciate not just the skills of New Zealand's greatest batsman and bowler, but the planning and preparation they put in to analyse opposition - they were way ahead of their time.
He spoke of Crowe's tireless work preparing for the pace attack of the fearsome Windies, before he would switch modes to prepare to face Abdul Qadir.
As for Hadlee, his obsessive attention to detail was legendary. "They were remarkable," Snedden said.
Interestingly, a factor that drove Fleming's team to great heights was their chip on the shoulder about the 80s. "They were well aware of the public's [affection] for the team of the 80s and were trying to prove a point that they were as good or better."
Another thing in the 80s' favour, said Snedden, was the fact they drew two tests in the West Indies in 1985 despite the Caribbean team being after their blood following the bitter series of 1980. He rates that 2-0 loss in a four-test series as a triumph of sorts. They also remained undefeated in test series at home during that decade, though he had a large qualification of that achievement.
"We became too possessive about that record. We played some terribly boring cricket. If [we served that up] on TV now, no one would watch."
That's something this current team could never be accused of.
And the current side in Neely's mind?
Of the dramatic win in Sharjah he said: "No matter what the emotions were, it was driven by McCullum. He's the most modern of modern batsmen."
Neely was reluctant to single out the best group but said: "Each time something remarkable happens, there's a couple of very good players doing things consistently well."
"We should be basking now and saying, 'Gosh, if only we were playing more test cricket'."
Golden teams
49ersPROS:
In Martin Donnelly, Bert Sutcliffe and Jack Cowie, they had three players who would warrant serious inclusion in a Greatest NZ All-time XI. For the first time, NZ cricket was taken seriously.
CONS: They never won a test (they were three-dayers).
1985-87
PROS: Won home and away series against Australia. Beat England in England and drew with a mighty West Indies side at home. In Sir Richard Hadlee and MD Crowe, we have two colossi of our sport.
CONS: Australia were Rebel Tour-weakened. While some of NZ's supporting cast achieved folk-hero status, test numbers were unconvincing.
1999-2001
PROS: Won in England, drew in Australia. In Chris Cairns they had a world-class allrounder. Fleming, Astle and McMillan were a powerful middle order. Vettori was establishing himself, Bond was emerging.
CONS: Always one weak opener and prone to test inconsistency.
2013-14
PROS: Play a vibrant brand of cricket and never give up. Have drawn and won the odd test from poor positions. Two terrific seamers and in Williamson, Taylor and McCullum, a beautifully contrasting middle order.
CONS: Spinners have done well, but is it a flash in the pan? Still an opener short of a truly convincing top order.
New Zealand's five best test wins overseas
November 8-12, 1985bt Australia by an innings and 41 runs, Brisbane
AKA Hadlee's test, this remains the most comprehensive beating of the near neighbours. Richard Hadlee's nine for 52 remains the sixth best figures in a test innings; only two players have taken more than his 15 wickets in that match. Add in Martin Crowe's magnificent 188, John F. Reid's century and it was a seriously decisive win. Okay, it wasn't Australia's finest team. They had a flabby middle order and have had far better bowling attacks. Still, it was Australia and the fact that it set up our first series win over them made it more special.
November 24-29, 1988
bt India by 136 runs, Mumbai
Most distinctive memory of a terrific win? When Kapil Dev, who was threatening to rip away New Zealand's grip, slapped John Bracewell hard to point. Captain John Wright, not usually given to over-the-top celebrations, clutched the catch, then danced a jig on the spot. The Indians were strong - Kris Srikkanth, Dilip Vengsarkar, Mohammad Azharuddin, Navjot Sidhu, Ravi Shastri, Kapil plus demanding spinners - but New Zealand, after leading the first innings by two runs, were able to leave a challenging target of 282. Bracewell snared six for 51, giving him eight wickets for the match. Richard Hadlee took 10 for 88.
November 25-29, 1994
bt South Africa by 137 runs, Johannesburg
A victory often forgotten because after it, riven by off-field ill-discipline, New Zealand fell apart, losing the second and third tests. But New Zealand dominated the test. They passed 400 in their first innings, with solid contributions from the four middle order batsmen, Stephen Fleming, Martin Crowe, Ken Rutherford and Shane Thompson, plus a 57-run sting in the tail from Simon Doull and Richard de Groen. They then dismissed South Africa for 279 and after leaving the hosts 327 to win, left arm spinner Matthew Hart had easily his best test day, taking five for 77. Doull took four for 33 as the last eight wickets tumbled for 89.
December 9-12, 2011
bt Australia by seven runs, Hobart
Hands down the most thrilling of this group. Given a bath at Brisbane a week earlier, no one saw this coming. New Zealand looked to have blown it when dismissed for 150, Dean Brownlie's 56 the only score past 20. But the New Zealand bowlers responded impressively to secure a 14-run lead. Australia were left 241 to win. Step up Doug Bracewell who ripped through the middle-lower order. At 199 for nine it seemed all over. But David Warner aided by Nathan Lyon helping out, pulled Australia within two good blows of victory. It was then Bracewell finished it, giving him match figures of 9-60.
November 26-30, 2014
bt Pakistan by an innings and 80 runs
Easily the most bizarre of this set. A match played, from the second day on, in an eerie atmosphere by players who didn't really want to be there after Phillip Hughes' death. Mark Craig took 10 for 203; Brendon McCullum smeared the Pakistani attack for 202, sharing a record-setting 297-run second wicket stand with Kane Williamson.
Wickets were not celebrated. The atmosphere was low key. In time, the NZ players will probably reflect on this as one of the finest test wins. Did the tragic backdrop have a bearing on the way the match played out? Certainly it did on the manner in which the New Zealanders played their cricket.
