New Zealand snuffed out the British and Irish Lions' hopes of a shock win with a ruthless display to take what looks like an iron grip on the three-Test series.
A breathless match had been poised at 13-8 at half-time, Codie Taylor's brilliant pick-up bringing the All Blacks' opening try before the Lions struck back with a wonderful length-of-field effort begun by Liam Williams deep in his own 22 and finished by Sean O'Brien.
But after the Lions had gone close early in the second period, the home side struck again through Rieko Ioane's try in the corner after more quick thinking and fast hands.
And the home side took control as the Lions' much-vaunted replacements struggled to make any impact, Ioane feasting off an error to race away for his second.
Led from the front by the outstanding Kieran Read and with fly-half Beauden Barrett impeccable from the tee, landing six from six, this was the All Blacks every Lions supporter had feared, and Rhys Webb's late try was little consolation for the tourists.
Only once in their history have the Lions won a series in New Zealand, and never having lost the first match - the prospects are ominous with the world champions on this kind of form.
All Blacks close to their best
After O'Brien's wonderful try on 35 minutes, arguably one of the greatest in Lions history, the tourists had dared to believe that they could pull off a huge upset at a stadium where the All Blacks have not lost since 1994.
But as on so many occasions in their six-year reign as world champions, Steve Hansen's men played at a level that no other team can match - dominant at the breakdown, incisive in attack, playing with both pace and precision.
The Lions never got close to the set-piece dominance they had hoped for after the tour wins over the Crusaders and NZ Maori, and while they made several line-breaks they again left points out there at the start of both halves.
Whether it would have made any difference had they crossed the try-line is questionable, the All Blacks able to accelerate away whenever required, scrum-half Aaron Smith another at the top of his game in a team that showed no sign of rustiness.
Gatland's selections justified
Williams' spectacular break for the Lions' first try, along with the swerve and pass of Elliot Daly that carried the move on, justified coach Warren Gatland's decision to change up his back three.
Ben Te'o also impressed at inside-centre while Jonathan Davies made several bullocking breaks, but Hansen's own big selections also paid off - Ioane showing remarkable pace to finish that brace of tries on his full debut, Read immense on his comeback from a thumb injury.
There were reasons for Lions optimism, not least the line-breaks made in the first 50 minutes, yet there were also too many errors, albeit brought about by sustained, heavy pressure.
Gatland may opt to start Maro Itoje - who came on for Alun Wyn Jones after 50 minutes - in next Saturday's second Test in Wellington, but he will also know that precedent is against his men.
While Webb's late try kept the final margin below 20 points, this was a chastening experience for the Lions in a game most felt they had to win to take the series.
Man of the match - Kieran Read
The New Zealand captain was relentless on his return to action, integral to a set-piece that was rock-solid, putting in the hit of the night on Lions fly-half Owen Farrell and producing a fabulous flick-pass from the ground in the build-up to his side's second try.
Teams:
New Zealand: B Smith; I Dagg, R Crotty, SB Williams, R Ioane; B Barrett, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, O Franks, B Retallick, S Whitelock, J Kaino, S Cane, K Read (capt).
Replacements: N Harris, W Crockett, C Faumuina, S Barrett, A Savea, TJ Perenara, A Cruden/L Sopoaga, A Lienert-Brown.
British and Irish Lions: L Williams (Wales); A Watson (England), J Davies (Wales), B Te'o (England), E Daly (England); O Farrell (England), C Murray (Ireland); M Vunipola (England), J George (England), T Furlong (Ireland); AW Jones (Wales), G Kruis (England); P O'Mahony (capt, Ireland), S O'Brien (Ireland), T Faletau (Wales).
Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Sinckler (England), M Itoje (England), S Warburton (Wales), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), L Halfpenny (Wales).
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