Woods starred at the event - which forms part of the Audi Quattro Winter Games NZ - and came out on top with 91.80 points.

He was one of two skiers to land both of his runs in the men's competition, along with Switzerland's Fabian Boesch who clinched bronze on 90.00.

Another Swiss, Andri Ragettli, did enough for the silver medal on 91.00.

The Briton performed a solid rail section and a perfectly executed jump line to impress the judges.

"It's a real honour just to be competing in this field," said Woods. 

"Watching the best in the world go ahead of me was really nerve-wracking. 

"Andri was the last person to go and he's just amazing so I just knew I had to be perfect."

Ragettli scored only 73.80 on his first run but he made the podium after his second thanks to a huge triple cork 1440.

The second World Cup of the season in ski slopestyle is not until November 25 - with the New Zealand event a unique chance to take advantage of snow during the southern hemisphere's winter. 

As well as World Cup points, qualification points for February's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang were up for grabs.

In the women's event, 15-year-old Kelly Sildaru of Estonia claimed victory in her first World Cup event.

The difficulty of her tricks, particularly on the rails, helped her to a winning tally of 90.00.

Giulia Tanno of Switzerland won silver on 86.60.

The bronze went to another 15-year-old as Sweden's Jennie-Lee Burmansson scored 84.60 on her World Cup debut.