A test was clipped from the schedule to make room for the Chappell-Hadlee series.
That test had been pencilled in for the University Oval but was whipped away.
It was hard not to feel hard done by in Dunedin but Black Caps coach Mike Hesson believes sacrificing a test was the right call.
''I think that getting the Chappell-Hadlee back for New Zealand fans is huge,'' he said during an interview late last month.
''It is something that we've missed for a long period of time and to get that relationship back with Australian cricket is important for our fans and for our players. We get judged by how well we play against Australia.
''To get five test matches against Australia and a Chappell-Hadlee in the same season is huge.''
That said, this summer is really about one thing - beating the Australian test team on its own turf.
The Black Caps leave for its tour of Australia at the conclusion of the opening round of the Plunket Shield which gets under way on October 15.
It has been 30 years since New Zealand achieved its only test series win in Australia, so the task ahead is daunting, but then this Black Caps side appears up to the challenge.
The team is undefeated in its last seven-test series and very keen to extend that record.
''We are playing some good cricket and are going to be challenged in this series and that is what we want to see.
''We've gained respect from Australia because of the way we've played over the last couple of years and also winning in 2011. They can't forget that either.''
The 2011 game Hesson was referring to was that thrilling test in Hobart when Doug Bracewell took six for 40 to help New Zealand clinch a seven-run win and level the two-game series.
The first test was lost by nine wickets but New Zealand's victory at Bellerive Oval offered a glimpse into the future.
Two key Black Caps were just at the beginning of their international careers.
Trent Boult made his test debut in that test and Kane Williamson was playing just his eighth test.
They are now firmly entrenched in the side and capable of match-turning performances.
''Any win in Australia is hard to come by and the guys that played in that test match in 2011, well, that was a really fine achievement and the guys still talk about it really fondly now.
''We know we can win over there but we know we have to play well and, like I said, to win a series we will obviously have to play well for longer.''
