The result leaves the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship wide open, especially after Australia was denied a bonus point. However, the All Blacks' redemptive performance, following their record loss to South Africa, was more notable for their determination than their accuracy.
The win also equalled the All Blacks' run of 10 consecutive wins, achieved between 2008 and 2010, and it left Australia without a win against the All Blacks in New Zealand since a match played in Dunedin in 2001.
In scoring two tries and controlling play so expertly, halfback Cam Roigard reinforced why he is so vital to the side.
After a lightning start to the game that gave them a 20-3 lead, the All Blacks had to deal with an Australian fightback before halftime, which saw their lead reduced to 20-17.
It took penalty goal choices in the third quarter to keep the score building as Damian McKenzie was forced to take over from the injured Beauden Barrett midway through the first half, while wing Caleb Clarke, with injuries and prop Ethan de Groot, with an HIA, were also forced off.
Then it took Australia's scoring of a try through replacement loose forward Carlo Tizzano to lift the All Blacks' effort.
When it came, it was a superb riposte with second five-eighths Jordie Barrett working a reverse pass move with replacement Quinn Tupaea, who was able to put Roigard into space to score his second try of the game and to ensure the win.
By taking the sting out of Australia's second-half reputation, belatedly, the All Blacks produced one of their better final quarters of recent vintage.
But in the second and third quarters, they were on the end of a string of penalties resulting from inaccuracies at the breakdown that had the capacity to undo them. However, by getting their hands on the ball, they were able to turn the pressure back on Australia, and it was they who ended with a warning and who lost wing Harry Potter to the sin-bin eight minutes from the end.
The All Blacks started with startling speed and looked set to run the legs off the visitors. However, Australia responded in their own way, and it took a determined home defence to keep the Bledisloe Cup in their grasp.
Wing Clarke had no idea his father was going to sing the New Zealand national anthem and was affected in the moment. Then he scored the opening try in the fourth minute after the All Blacks worked the ball from a lineout. In the subsequent play, tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax passed to first five-eighths Beauden Barrett and fullback Will Jordan both threw wide passes that allowed Clarke to get on the outside of his marker to score.
The tempo of the All Blacks' play was frenetic. When props like Ethan de Groot and Lomax are throwing the ball around like backs, the intent of the team tactics is clear.
It was constant movement that engulfed the Wallabies, who were forced into a succession of tackles to contain the rampant All Blacks, who dominated possession. However, it also required accuracy, especially at the breakdown, which was lacking, and they paid the price before the half was over.
However, before that point was reached, the All Blacks were rewarded in the 14th minute with flanker and skipper Ardie Savea carrying play to the line, where wing Leroy Carter raced in to halfback to claim the ball and whip around the ruck to score.
The pressure was telling on both sides. Australia's first five-eighths, James O'Connor, missed a penalty to touch, and Jordan countered. They were penalised heavily by referee Andrea Piardi for no-arm tackles, one of which led to a reversal of a penalty against the All Blacks.
That resulted in the All Blacks taking the lineout option, and some strong assaults were made at the line by Roigard and Lomax. Finally, it was Roigard who went over again beside the posts after 23 minutes.
However, by getting more ball, especially at breakdowns where they seemed to be penalised on nearly every occasion, Australia finally gained some momentum.
Firstly, hooker Billy Pollard scored in the play after a lineout penalty option in the 29th minute. Then, after 37th minutes, the Wallabies took the lineout option and worked the ball through their big men up front, initially using a knock-on advantage, but then building by tying in defenders.
When second five-eighths Len Ikitau emerged with the ball, he was able to slip it to wing Harry Potter, who utilised the lack of defenders to score. O'Connor's conversion pulled Australia back within three points.
Scorers: New Zealand 33 (Caleb Clarke, Leroy Carter, Cameron Roigard 2 tries; Beauden Barrett con pen; Damian McKenzie con, 2 pen) Australia 24 (Billy Pollard, Harry Porter, Carlo Tezzano tries; James O'Connor 3 con, pen). HT: 20-17
