Brendan McCullum's 40 off 34 balls helped New Zealand beat the West Indies in the first T20 international in Dominica by 12 runs on Duckworth/Lewis method.
The hosts struggled to post a competitive total after losing both openers with in the first five overs, before rain intervened.
Once play resumed in Roseau, Andre Fletcher (52) and Darren Bravo (30) put 88 for the third wicket to give the Windies hope of setting an imposing target.
However, both batsmen fell in quick succession and two wickets apiece for Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Corey Anderson helped restrict the home side to 132-8 off 18 overs.
New Zealand's reply suffered a setback when Jimmy Neesham was dismissed early on, but that brought captain McCullum to the crease and, with the help of Kane Williamson (19) and Ross Taylor (28), he steered the Blackcaps into a strong position.
By the time the skipper was out, caught in the deep by Dwayne Smith off the bowling off Darren Sammy, the Kiwis were left needing little more than a run a ball to win.
As rain set in again, play was halted with New Zealand ahead of the Duckworth/Lewis par score, but the West Indies can gain revenge in the second T20 match, which takes place on Sunday in Dominica.