That rarely looked like changing after Cam Howieson opened the scoring with a well-taken volley - the fourth straight game in which the regional heavyweights found an early goal.
Vanuatu battled well following that setback but never applied any significant pressure, while a second yellow card for Timothy Boulet midway through the second half reduced the risk of New Zealand being hit by a sucker punch.
Having controlled possession without creating too many opportunities, the All Whites made sure of victory through Jesse Randall in the 84th minute. Fellow substitute Max Mata then added a third in stoppage time, with all three scorers signings of new A-League club Auckland FC.
Vanuatu were playing in their first Nations Cup final and, ranked 63 places lower than the All Whites, their largely domestic-based squad couldn’t match the quality of an opposition missing several senior players but still stacked with professional talent.
But the hosts were improved from their 4-0 defeat when the sides met in pool play, and New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley was pleased with the way his players overcame their sternest test of the tournament.
“The pitch made it difficult to play a certain way but I thought we were pretty good again,” Bazeley told Fifa+. “We scored an early goal and maybe thought we could go on and do well there from that moment, but we came up against a team full of heart in Vanuatu.”
“They played some good football but they didn’t really hurt us - we were in control for most of it but we didn’t put them away. They stayed in the game, and that was credit to Vanuatu.
“I’m really proud of the boys - they’ve put in a big shift the last two weeks and managed all these games. We’ve gone through the tournament winning every game and haven’t conceded a goal, so overall we did really well.”
Bazeley will now turn his attentions to the Paris Olympics, where he will oversee an under-23 side boosted by the involvement of overage players Chris Wood and Libby Cacace.
The Empoli defender was again a standout for the All Whites on Sunday, captaining a younger team who Bazeley thought would be better for the experience.
“It was a massive crowd - at points there one of the noisiest I’ve been involved in,” the coach said. “Some of the guys have played in front of big crowds in big stadiums around the world, but this is very different.”
“It was a really good experience for everybody. We’re pleased and proud to come out as winners. but we were involved in a good and competitive game of football.”
New Zealand 3 (Cam Howieson 2′, Jesse Randall 84′, 90+2′)
Vanuatu 0
HT: 1-0
