Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 190 for 5, powered by a 108-run second-wicket stand between Tim Seifert (75 off 43) and Rachin Ravindra (53 off 38). Michael Bracewell added late acceleration with 26 off 16, capitalising on a lacklustre Zimbabwean fielding effort that included three dropped catches and eight extras.
In reply, Zimbabwe were never in the chase. Reduced to 44 for 5 within eight overs, they eventually folded for 130 in 19. Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the chief destroyer with 4 for 12 - his best T20I figures - reaching 150 wickets in the format and moving to third on the all-time list.
Tony Munyonga (28) and Tashinga Musekiwa (26) offered a rare bright spot with a 51-run sixth-wicket stand, but the game was already out of reach. Zimbabwe's top order once again faltered, with only three batters reaching double figures.
Richard Ngarava continued his strong series with 3 for 35, using changes of pace effectively. However, his efforts were undermined by a lack of support in the field and wayward bowling at the other end.
Zimbabwe's campaign ends without a win, leaving them with key issues to address ahead of September's Africa Region T20 World Cup Qualifiers. Poor catching, inconsistent top-order contributions, and a reliance on isolated performances have defined their series.
For New Zealand, the result caps a dominant group stage. With Seifert in form, Ravindra consistent, and their bowling unit firing, they will head into the final against South Africa with confidence and momentum.
Temba Bavuma thanked the community of Langa who has supported him "through thick and thin" as he and his Proteas teammates took the World Test Championship mace to his home town in the Western Cape.
Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has confirmed that veteran opener Reeza Hendricks has fallen out of favour in the national T20I setup, with several batters now ahead of him in the selection hierarchy.
Proteas Men's head coach Shukri Conrad has announced two full-strength squads for August's white-ball tour against Australia Down Under.
The Proteas slipped to a second defeat against New Zealand in the T20I tri-series in Harare after going down by seven wickets on Tuesday in what was a dress-rehearsal for the tournament's final.
