Kiwis draw first blood
QThe Black Caps ended on 156 for five with seven balls to spare after losing Qthe toss and being set a target of 154.
Tim Seifert top-scored for the hosts with 57, while debutant paceman Jacob Duffy took four for 33.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Pakistan never recovered from a slow start, despite a fighting 42 from stand-in captain Shadab Khan.
Haris Rauf was the tourists' best bowler, taking three for 29.
Pakistan had a rocky preparation for the match when 10 of their touring party tested positive for Covid-19 during quarantine after arriving in New Zealand.
Players also received a rebuke from local health authorities for flouting social distancing rules, and were unable to train until they were allowed out of their hotel on December 8.
In contrast, New Zealand were coming off a 2-0 series win over the West Indies and playing in home conditions.
The second and third T20s will be played in Hamilton and Napier on Sunday and Tuesday, with the first of two Tests starting in Mount Maunganui on December 26.