Scotland A produced a fine second-half effort but were defeated by an efficient performance from New Zealand's second string at Perth.
Captain Duncan Hodge scored all Scotland's points at McDiarmid Park - including a try after the interval - but was powerless to halt the clinical Kiwis.
Mark Robinson, Caleb Ralph, Ben Blair and Pita Alatini all grabbed tries as the tourists recorded a fairly comfortable win.
Alongside Hodge, it was flanker Andrew Dall and darting centre Marcus Di Rollo who did most to boost their bids for promotion to Ian McGeechan's squad.
The early portents were not good for the Scots and New Zealand, who had already missed two easy penalties, finally made their pressure tell when scrumhalf Robinson waltzed in under the post on 15 minutes. Blair added a conversion.
The tourists doubled their lead when Ralph profited from a trademark run from number eight Paul Miller to touch down. Blair kicked an exacting conversion.
Blair kicked six more points within the next five minutes after the Scots twice infringed directly in front of their posts.
Hodge, having refused two early opportunities to kick a penalty, decided to take the points just before half time to leave the score 20-3 to the All Blacks.
New Zealand quickly extended their advantage after the break when Blair crossed after the Scots turned the ball over in their 22 as they tried to run the ball out.
Scotland were now much more in the game and Edinburgh star Hodge charged over after a fine rolling maul from the forwards.
The outhalf converted his try to give Scotland some hope at 30-13, but a breakaway try from Test centre Alatini snuffed out the home side's thoughts of a famous comeback.
SCOTLAND A: Laney; Bulloch, Di Rollo, Utterson, R Kerr; Hodge, Beveridge; Jacobsen, Brotherstone, McIlwham, Hinds, N Ross, A Dall, G Dall, Flockhart. Not Used: G Scott, G Kerr, Griffiths, Walker, Blair, Irving, Moffat.
NEW ZEALAND: Blair; Randle, N Mauger, Alatini, Ralph; Hill, Robinson; Hewett, T Willis, Meeuws, Waller, Maling, Collins, P Miller, Holah. Not Used: Oliver, Feek, Maxwell, Robertson, Kelleher, A Mauger, Howlett.
Referee: D Courtney (Ireland).
