Gusts exceeding 60km/h complicated play as New Zealand beat Tonga 34-10 in Newcastle on Saturday night to reach the World Cup final.
Kalyn Ponga returned from a broken arm and quickly set up Briton Nikora for the opening try, but Tonga fought back through Jojo Fifita.
Fifita finished a long-range attack involving Tui Lolohea and Tolu Koula, then scored again after Tonga shifted left from a scrum to take a 10-6 lead after 32 minutes.
New Zealand reclaimed the advantage before half-time, with Dane Gagai scoring after Lehi Hopoate failed to handle a Jahrome Hughes grubber under pressure from Ponga.
The Kiwis led 12-10 at the break, then capitalised on the wind as Tonga's kicking game faltered and kicks sailed over Hopoate.
Casey McLean scored in the 48th minute, and Hughes added a try five minutes later to extend the margin to 24-10.
Xavier Willison crossed in the 70th minute, and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad secured an Erin Clark cross-field chip on the buzzer.
Prop Naufahu Whyte is New Zealand's only injury concern for the final after leaving early in the second half with an ankle issue.