India were hammered 0-4 in the five-match ODI series which led to the team losing its numero uno ranking in the ICC chart.
Dhoni revisited the team's performance in the Test series in South Africa to motivate his squad.
"If we consider the last series we played, we had one bad session, two-and-a-half-hours of bad cricket. Compared to the cricket we played throughout the series, that was really good," said Dhoni.
"It is important that when we are in a situation where we can command authority or dictate terms, it is very important we go through that phase and keep building on it," he added.
Dhoni said his team has got enough time to put the ODI disappointment behind and be ready for the two-Test series.
"They have already had a look at the wickets, what they will be like, how they will play," he said.
New Zealand have laid out a green wicket at the Eden Park for the first Test and coupled with the pace and bounce on offer here, it will be another stern test for the Indian team after their batsmen were bounced out in the ODI series.
"At times, the ODIs get dominated by how many runs the opposition have scored and how many you are chasing. We chase more often than not.
