The tour analysis could be diced myriad ways.
One is that each series slipped from their grasp.
Victory is the default expectation, now New Zealand's the third-ranked team in both formats. The ODI losses, after trouncing England by eight wickets on the way to the World Cup final, were particularly galling.
However, a 199-run second test victory at Headingley, just the fifth in 54 tests in England, meant the current side further gilded their reputation for creating the country's best era in the longest format.
The result continued a record streak of seven undefeated series. Every player delivered significant runs or wickets at some point.
That was tempered by a first test in which a short-pitched bowling plan backfired against Ben Stokes.
He inspired England, who had been in a dire position on the opening day at 30 for four, to a second innings of 478 with an 85-ball century, the quickest at Lord's. England escaped.
New Zealand continued their aggressive brand of ODI cricket, but England trumped them at their own game.
A dominant 2-1 position was squandered. That included making 349 for seven in the fourth match, which England eclipsed with 36 balls to spare. The bowling also proved a letdown in the final match; England swatted a rain-adjusted 192 with an over to spare.
The loss of Trent Boult and Corey Anderson to injury hindered their capability, but Hesson lamented a final T20 loss which left the scales of satisfaction teetering.
When the coach says "it was a very poor finish", expect the side to face the cricketing equivalent of keyhole surgery ahead of next year's World T20 in India.
The loss of five wickets for four runs in 1.5 overs, which left them short chasing 192, was a capitulation by tired-looking tourists.
The middle order were the chief culprits with Hesson saying "amateur shots would be the nicest way to put it" in relation to their dismissals.
Captain Brendon McCullum said: "Some of our batting was pretty amateurish. We got ourselves in a good position [needing 104 from 12 overs with eight wickets in hand] and should have chased down the total."
There must be concerns the team, despite the top seven's consistency in all formats across the past 19 months, is too reliant on Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor to guarantee a platform to push for victories.
Details and personnel are likely to be assessed as a result with a limited overs tour to Zimbabwe and South Africa set for August, and the latest batch of annual contracts out next week.
"It's difficult when you finish [the tour] with such a poor last hour," Hesson said. "It leaves a sour taste, but there were good things."
Hesson singled out Mitchell Santner as one. The 23-year-old impressed throughout the limited overs matches and was the best T20 bowler with two for 28 from his allotment.
"The more [international] cricket we get into him the better, especially with the bat," Hesson said. Ford, the driving force behind the Black Caps.
