Australia have made the Olympic semi-finals seven times and won six medals -- three silver, three bronze -- but despite having one of the strongest teams on the circuit have never pushed through to gold.
Ranked third in the world, the Aussies put on a strong display of running hockey with Jamie Dwyer finishing off their relentless attacks with three flying field goals off both sides of the stick.
The other goal came from a well-timed drag flick by Troy Elder off a penalty corner.
New Zealand fought hard and found space towards the end of the game but Australia's deep defence kicked in hard and only allowed them to convert one penalty corner of three.
More from rediff