New Zealand's much-maligned top order showed some rare resolve against the West Indies and battled back from an early setback to be 226 for four when poor light brought an end to play just before 6pm.
Daniel Flynn's move up the order to No 3 proved inspired, with the compact left-hander going oh so close to notching his maiden test century.
The Northern Districts batsmen was denied the opportunity to raise the milestone by the experimental law which allows players to refer decisions to the third umpire.
Flynn was given not out on 95 but, following referral to Rudi Koertzen, Amish Saheba reversed his decision and gave Flynn out.
That gave West Indies skipper Chris Gayle this third victim.
The punishing opening batsman is expected to shine with the bat during the two-test series but his gentle off-spinners were not meant to pose much of a problem.
He took three for 42 from a 20-over spell.
His figures were flattered by some loose shots from Ross Taylor and Tim McIntosh, which led to their demise.
But a few indiscretions aside, New Zealand arguably took the honours on day one, treating the University Oval crowd, which swelled to about 1500, to some good cricket.
The Black Caps top order offered about as much resistance as a bean bag during the recent two-match test series against Australia across the Tasman.
The selectors opted for subtle rather than wholesale changes, replacing Aaron Redmond with McIntosh at the top and promoting Flynn to No 3.
When Jamie How went early, after squirting a Daren Powell delivery to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point, there was a sense of here-we-go-again.
The panic proved premature, with McIntosh and Flynn prepared to stonewall and spend time at the crease before pulling out the flashy shots, which have so often proved the downfall of their team-mates.
Both had their moments.
McIntosh took 38 balls to get off the mark and his first test runs came from an edge over gully.
He also brought up the New Zealand 50 with an inside edge down to the boundary.
Flynn, too, profited from a French cut.
But after the starts the Black Caps have had, it must have come as a huge relief to still have one opener's wicket intact at lunch and in a good position of 88 for one.
McIntosh played his most authoritative shot after the break, a scorching square drive.
But he undid his good work attacking Gayle and was caught at wide mid-on by Lionel Baker, who was also making his debut.
With the game set up quite nicely for the home side, Taylor came in and played some delightful shots.
He crashed one memorable drive through the covers and looked to be seeing the ball well.
But on 15 he got ambitious.
The Oval's short boundaries proved too tempting and he launched into a slog sweep, gifting Gayle a second scalp.
It was unforgivable, really.
Jesse Ryder looked more at ease coming in at No 5 and scored his second half-century, off 87 balls.
He was undefeated on 54 with local hope Brendon McCullum at the wicket with him on four when play ended prematurely.
The match starts at the early time of 11.30am today.
That's stumps:
New Zealand reached 226 for four when bad light stopped play shortly before 6pm.
Just over 16 overs were lost and play will start at the early time of 11.30pm to make up some of the lost time.
Key moment:
Daniel Flynn looked on track to score a maiden test 100 but was eventually given out lbw after the Windies captain Chris Gayle requested the original not out decision be referred to the third umpire.
Star performer
In his maiden first-class innings at No 3, Flynn helped shore up a faltering New Zealand top order with a fine innings of 95.
New Zealand
First innings:
T McIntosh c Baker b Gayle 34
J How c Chanderpaul b Powell 10
D Flynn lbw b Gayle 95
R Taylor c Marshall b Gayle 15
J Ryder not out 54
B McCullum not out 4 Extras (10lb, 3w, 1nb) 14
Total (for 4 wkts, 73.4 overs)
226 Fall: 1/10, 2/97, 3/128, 4/189.
Bowling: J Taylor 11 overs, 4 maidens, 32 runs, 0 wickets, D Powell 13.2-5-33-1, F Edwards 11-3-46-0, L Baker 17-2-61-0 (3w 1nb) C Gayle 20-1-42-3 B Nash 1-0-2-0.
