Coach Anthony Hudson emptied his bench in the second half - bringing on five replacements - and will be no closer to knowing his best XI after this fractured display.
The All Whites were badly out of sorts in the first 10 minutes, as their hosts threatened to run riot. The Green and White army scored one goal, but could have had three as the New Zealand defence was pulled apart mercilessly.
The home side scored with their first real attack, as Liam Boyce was released by a precise diagonal pass. The Ross County striker ran at a retreating defence, evading his challenges of a hesitant Tommy Smith and Tom Doyle, before finshing well past Stefan Marinovic. Timely interventions from Marinovic stopped further damage to the scoreboard, as the All Whites resembled possums in the headlights at times.
Thankfully things settled after that, as the visitors shored up their defence and found some rthymn.
But they still struggled in possession, especially in tight areas where their accuracy was exposed and Northern Ireland often won the ball back easily.
Marco Rojas and Ryan Thomas combined well down the left at times, but too often ended up being ushered into blind alleys, while Chris Wood was bereft of service, spending much of the half chasing hopeful long balls.
Marinovic was again in the spotlight just before halftime, as he foiled Josh Magennis after the Irish winger had pickpocketed Smith inside the New Zealand half.
The All Whites tightened up in the second half, and finally carved out some of their own attacking opportunities. After half chances to Ryan Thomas and Tom Doyle, substitute Kosta Barbarouses did everything but score in the 70th minute, curling his shot from 10 yards against the far post with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The home side lost some shape after they made three substitutes at half time, while the New Zealand replacements, including Bill Tuiloma and Barbarouses, added some impetus to the All Whites efforts.
Northern Ireland 1 (L Joyce)
New Zealand 0
Halftime: 1-0
