Tom Latham and Kane Williamson helped reduce New Zealand's first innings deficit to 273 runs by reaching 106-1 at tea on the third day of the first test against Australia after Adam Voges' double-century had put the visitors in total control.
Latham was on 43, while Williamson was 17 not out at the break after Martin Guptill had been dismissed for 45 following an 81-run opening stand with Latham at the Basin Reserve in Wellington today.
Guptill's downfall, however, could be considered a wasted opportunity as he had looked well set before his slog against off-spinner Nathan Lyon was caught by a diving Mitchell Marsh at extra cover.
The only other opportunity Australia's bowlers had on a pitch that has become a good batting surface was when wicketkeeper Peter Nevill dropped Latham on 30 despite getting both hands to the nick off Marsh.
Australia were dismissed about 15 minutes before the lunch break for 562, with Voges the last man out for 239. Australia held a lead of 379 runs.
Voges earlier brought up his double century by lofting Mark Craig to the mid-wicket fence for his 28th boundary shortly before the drinks break.
He became the fourth caught and bowled dismissal of Australia's innings when he hit the ball back to the off-spinner.
The late-blooming Voges, who was 35 when he made his debut in the Caribbean last June, has scored 1267 runs in a bountiful test career to date, boasting an average of 97.46.
The visitors resumed today on 463-6 with Voges on 176 and Peter Siddle 29 not out.
The pair added 31 runs before Doug Bracewell, who had bowled Voges for seven late on the first day only to be wrongly called for a no-ball, finally got some reward for his effort.
The 25-year-old had Siddle caught at mid on by Corey Anderson just short of his third test half-century for 49 to break a 99-run seventh-wicket partnership.
He then had Hazlewood caught at short cover by Tim Southee for eight, before Anderson produced a brilliant caught and bowled to dismiss Nathan Lyon for three.
New Zealand need to bat until at least the end of the fourth day tomorroew to have any chance of saving the match, though a pitch favouring the batsmen and their past record at the Basin Reserve should provide local fans with some hope.
In their last two matches at the Wellington ground, they conceded large first innings leads before scoring 680-8 to save a test against India two years ago and 524-5 to set up a win last year against Sri Lanka.
The second match of the two-test series is in Christchurch from February 20.
