Australia won the first day, posting 12 faults to the Kiwis’ 20 over the two rounds.
The teams swapped horses for Day 2 and New Zealand bounced back to win with four faults to the Aussies’ eight.
Honours were shared with eight faults each on Day 3, meaning a jump-off involving a rider from each team was required to decide the overall winners.
Australian Cody Ticknell, riding For Harmony HSH, went clear around the shortened course in a time of 34.66 seconds, only for New Zealand’s Samantha Lee-Hickling and Krystal Clear I to pip that time with a clear effort of 33.93s.
Kaye Williams of Gisborne ran the event.
The Larsen Sawmilling champs have been rescheduled to March 27-29.