Number three batsman Moeen Ali (36), opener Michael Lumb (33) and middle-order batsman Jos Butler (32) came up with useful contributions to set the foundation for the score, while it was Tim Bresnan's 17 off 8 balls towards the end which took England across the 150-mark after being invited to bat here.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to bowl and experienced pacer Kyle Mills straight away got into action, dismissing opener Alex Hales on the third ball of the innings.
While Lumb blasted four boundaries and one six in his 24-ball innings, Ali had six hits to the fence and one maximum in his 23-ball stay.
It was Corey Anderson who snapped Ali's wicket in the eight over when he was holed out at deep square leg by Mitchell McClenaghan.
Five balls later, a fine catch by Anderson off McClenaghan's delivery ended Lumb's innings as England slipped to 76 for three.
Jos Butler provided some support in the middle with his 23-ball 32 laced with four boundaries but he ended up dragging a wide ball onto his stumps as England slumped to 129 for five in 15.4 overs.
Ravi Bopara (24 not out) and Chris Jordon (8) then plundered a six each off Southee to amass 15 runs off his last over. But Nathan McCullum dismissed Jordon in the fourth ball of the next over.