Two-try forward Sika Manu wants the Kiwis to spend this week making improvements ahead of their loser-goes-home Four Nations clash with England on Saturday.
The two go head to head at Hull's KC Stadium with identical records so far, having both lost to Australia and beaten Wales with some ease, and a final meeting with the Kangaroos awaits the winner.
They have an identical points difference and, as things stand, the Kiwis would go through on points percentage should next Saturday's game end in a draw.
New Zealand's points difference could and should be greater, though, with their second-half performance against Wales at Wembley yielding just 10 points.
They had led 26-0 at half-time with Benji Marshall at his brilliant best and Manu scoring twice.
"Wales came out with a bit more belief in the second half and we started to make a few mistakes and that's what happens in those situations," Storm forward Manu said of his side's second-half struggles.
"It was tougher than expected. They were physical and got in our faces. But we have a lot of improvements we can make and we need to make sure that's what we do.
"We won by 36 points, which sounds impressive, but the thing we can take is the amount of improvements we can make. We will work on it this week, train hard and see how we go."
The defending champions' victory was effectively a curtain-raiser to the eagerly-anticipated Ashes clash between England and Australia, with the latter prevailing 36-20 after a see-saw battle.
England were certainly not disgraced, though, and Manu, still on a high from having played at the national stadium, believes the home nation will provide his side with the sternest possible test.
"The whole day was an amazing experience," he added.
"It was brilliant to play at Wembley and for me to score two tries. I don't think I've scored two tries in a game since I played for the under-12s. That was special.
"I was just in the right place at the right time. But for that place to be Wembley was great. We have to put that behind us now, though.
"We have a tough week ahead of us. England a really good side and I'm sure they will put up a good fight.
"They're always competitive and they were very good in both of their games. They will be a really tough test for us."