Officials tried to make a game of it, but in the end the weather won in Nelson today.
The fourth ODI against Sri Lanka was called off when drizzle returned nine overs into New Zealand's innings which had already been trimmed to 24 overs.
The rain had arrived in Nelson early in the morning and it was a slight surprise when play did begin at 3.40pm.
New Zealand, having been sent in, were 75 for three, with Ross Taylor on 20 and Henry Nicholls on four.
New Zealand lead the five-game series 2-1 going into the final match at Mt Maunganui on Tuesday.