The Silver Ferns put the last two weeks of turmoil to one side by beating South Africa 77-51 in Auckland in the first test of the Taini Jamison series.
Eleven days ago, Netball New Zealand shocked sports fans with news that Dame Noeline Taurua and her assistant coaches were being stood down for the three-test series.
Yvette McCausland-Durie stepped in at short notice as interim coach.
Experienced defender Kelly Jackson set the tone early, with the South African shooters finding her reach challenging.
New Zealand piled on the goals to lead 20-8 at the end of the first quarter.
Peta Toeava made her long-anticipated return to the black dress and had a strong impact in the midcourt.
Martina Salmon made her Silver Ferns debut, when she came on at goal attack early in the second quarter.
The Proteas started putting up more resistance, but the Ferns led 41-22 at the main break.
All 12 players got court-time, including Catherine Hall, who also made her debut, when she came on at goal keep.
South Africa got better as the game wore on, but so much damage was done in the first quarter.
Shooter Grace Nweke put up 59 goals at 88 percent accuracy.
The second test is in Napier on Wednesday.
By Bridget Tunnicliffe of rnz.co.nz
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