New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in their third one-day international in Christchurch on Tuesday to lead the five-match series 2-1.

Set a revised target of 110 off 46 overs to win after Sri Lanka made 112 all out from their rain-shortened innings, New Zealand reached the mark in the 25th over when Peter Fulton smacked Dilhara Fernando for six.

Fulton finished unbeaten on 43 with all-rounder James Franklin after the pair shared an unbroken partnership of 40 to guide the Kiwis to victory after they had slumped to 70-6.

Sri Lanka had earlier recorded their lowest one-day score in 64 matches against New Zealand, collapsing to be all out inside 36 overs.

New Zealand seamer Michael Mason captured four wickets while left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori claimed two. Marvan Atapattu top scored for Sri Lanka with 28 off 26 deliveries.

The match was reduced to 46 overs each after a series of rain stoppages. The start was delayed by 45 minutes because of morning showers, then the players were twice forced to leave the field during Sri Lanka's innings.