However, the two men's foursomes fell short in their semi-finals, joining the women's four in settling for the B final.
It continues New Zealand's struggles in mid-sized boats compared to the ongoing success of smaller crews and the progress made with the eights in recent campaigns.
Men's quadruple scullers Lewis Hollows, Cameron Crampton, Nathan Flannery and Giacomo Thomas came closest to advancing, finishing just over a second behind Norway in fourth.
The men's four of Alex Kennedy, Cameron Webster, Charles Rogerson and Anthony Allen were further off the pace in fifth in their semi.
Kiddle and McBride continued their dominant form this year, seeing off Poland rivals in a team which was fractionally slower than United States duo Emily Schmieg and Michelle Sechser in the other semi-final.
McBride, a two-time lightweight single world champion, has combined supremely with Kiddle, who is enjoying her first year at senior international level.
Murray and Hunter, contesting the class dominated by compatriots Hamish Bond and Eric Murray for the last decade, remain strong medal prospects.
They were second behind Italians Matteo Lodo and Giuseppe Vicino and third fastest overall.
The men's eight of Stephen Jones, Brook Robertson, Michael Brake, Shaun Kirkham, Isaac Grainger, Patrick McInnes, Drikus Conradie, James Lassche and cox Caleb Shepherd led their repechage early on but spent most of the race tucked behind the USA in second place.
Dunham was beaten for the first time at the regatta, by Norway's Kristoffer Brun.
The 23-year-old is in line for the first New Zealand medal, with his final set down for Saturday morning (NZT), his third race in three days.
That session is also when the four remaining Kiwi boats to book finals berths.
Sculling semi-finals will feature Robbie Manson (men's single), Hannah Osborne (women's single), Chris Harris and John Storey (men's double), and Olivia Loe and Brook Donoghue (women's double).
