New Zealand needed just 12.2 overs to chase down 124 as the co-hosts condemned England to a humiliating eight-wicket defeat in a one-sided World Cup clash at the Westpac Stadium.

Tim Southee stole the show with 7-33 with the ball, before captain Brendon McCullum smashed 77 from just 25 balls to pile the misery on England.

Eoin Morgan's side were under pressure soon after electing to bat first, as Tim Southee bowled Ian Bell (8) and Moeen Ali (20) to expose the middle order early in the innings.

Gary Ballance added 10 before falling to Trent Boult, but Morgan (17) joined the stubborn Joe Root (46) in the middle to help England to 104-3.

However, Morgan picked out Adam Milne in the field off the bowling of Daniel Vettori, and that wicket persuaded McCullum to bring back Southee, who continued his superb performance to finish with the best figures for a New Zealand bowler in one-day internationals.

James Taylor (0) was unable to keep out a fuller ball from the seamer, Jos Buttler (3) edged one behind to Luke Ronchi, and Chris Woakes (1) became the fourth batsman to watch Southee hit the stumps.

Stuart Broad (4) and Steven Finn (0) quickly followed their teammates off the field after falling to Southee, and Root's miscued pull to Vettori handed Milne the final wicket to bring a woeful innings to an end.

A reduced 10-minute break between innings was not enough to produce a reaction from England, and the opening bowling partnership of James Anderson and Broad looked shocked as McCullum immediately attacked.

Martin Guptill (22) was composed at the other end as his captain dominated with the bat to record his half-century in 21 balls - the quickest 50 to ever be scored at a World Cup.

McCullum looked on course to be at the crease for the finish as he struck seven fours and seven sixes, before departing when he missed a full toss from Woakes in the eighth over.

New Zealand needed just 19 more runs following McCullum's dismissal, but a 45-minute interval delayed the inevitable before Guptill was bowled by Woakes shortly after the restart.

It was left to Kane Williamson (9*) and Ross Taylor (5*) to ease their side over the line for a third win in Pool A as England's worrying form continued in Wellington.