New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his players repeated recent failings by going down to a heavy first Test defeat against Australia.
Fleming said: "We let ourselves down. Day four got us again through poor batsmanship and lack of application.
"We need to take the game by the scruff of the neck. At the moment we pinch the scruff of the neck and let it go."
His opposite number Ricky Ponting said his team were "pretty proud" of what they had achieved in Christchurch.
Ponting said: "Coming here today the game was even, to think that it's over and done with now is pretty remarkable.
"It is very satisfying, I think all the guys know what we've just achieved.
"It's not just another Test match win, it's something we've done in a slightly different way."
Australia had conceded a first innings lead, albeit of one run, before New Zealand edged to 9-0 in their second innings following three days of even cricket.
But on Sunday, the Black Caps were skittled for just 131, with Shane Warne taking 5-39.
It contrasted sharply with New Zealand's first innings, when they had been 330-3 at one stage before registering 433 all out.