With a sophisticated stand of 57 from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Heather Knight, the visitors were gradually moving closer to their goal of 137.
Then, in the 18th and 19th overs, the White Ferns came back and dismissed both of the set batsmen.
Despite this, Sophia Dunkley remained composed and won with seven balls remaining after hitting her second ball for four.
The hosts had earlier lost to 31-4 and 69-5 when they elected to bat first, but they rallied to 136-6 thanks to Izzy Gaze’s undefeated 51 off 28 balls.
In an aggressive and controlled opening spell, Sciver-Brunt set off the top-order collapse with Lauren Filer, who went wicketless but plagued the inexperienced line-up with her pace and bounce.
In the first over, Sciver-Brunt caught opener Bernadine Bezuidenhout behind. In the third over, all-round sensation Amelia Kerr was out for five, and spinner Charlie Dean removed Suzie Bates for just 11 to cap off England’s commanding powerplay.
