Opening batsman BJ Watling enhanced his reputation with a solid undefeated innings of 67 and Brad Wilson added 52 to help the visiting side reach 159 for one at stumps on day two in their Plunket Shield match against Otago.
Much time has been lost from the game - no play was possible on the opening day and a further 51 overs were lost yesterday.
Some of those lost overs can be made up today with the game resuming at the earlier time of 10am.
It will take some more good batting to get into a position to force an outright but Northern Districts played positive cricket yesterday.
It is not often a team elects to bat first at the University Oval, especially given the history of the pitch. It was only last season Auckland was dismissed for a paltry 46 and, with overcast conditions prevailing, the decision seemed brave.
This pitch, unlike some of its predecessors, is benign and it became apparent early Otago was going to have to work hard for wickets.
England international Steven Finn bowled rapidly and was a little unlucky not to capture Wilson's wicket when the right-hander was on 33. Finn found the perfect length and the edge of Wilson's bat. Sadly, for the bowler, the ball sailed through the slip cordon.
Watling battled for almost half an hour before registering his first run. But, once set, runs starting coming more freely for the diminutive right-hander.
By the tea break, the pair had guided their team through to 80 without loss.
The Otago attack had started well but petered out. Neil Wagner and Ian Butler overstepped too often and Butler's three-over spell before tea proved costly with 20 runs coming off his bowling.
James McMillan generated plenty of pace but was also expensive, and Finn was not as effective in his second spell.
Wilson latched on to an over-pitched delivery from Butler and caressed it through the covers for four to raise his 50.
But moments later he badly mistimed a pull shot. It should have gone for four, perhaps six, but instead it went straight to McMillan at mid-on. The fielder took one step to his right and claimed the catch at a comfortable height.
Watling eased to his half-century, working Wagner forward of point for a brace of runs.
James Marshall was not completely convincing getting through to 31, but the Otago attack was not very threatening either.
Otago captain Aaron Redmond threw Sam Wells the ball late in the day and the all-rounder looked the most likely to get a second breakthrough. He was getting the ball to swing but had trouble keeping it off the batsman's pads.
With the amount of cloud cover around it was surprising he was not tried earlier.
No play was possible in the other two Plunket Shield games due to rain, with Canterbury remaining on 27 for one in Rangiora, trailing Central's first innings total of 307 by 280 runs, and Auckland still sitting on 284 for seven against Wellington in Lincoln.
