Tendulkar was dislodged for 160 as India gently unravelled in the middle session -- though not before pushing their way to an imposing 520.
Resuming on 384 for five after lunch -- a lead of 105 -- India picked up the pace, especially when Zaheer Khan produced an entertaining 51-run cameo as New Zealand's fielding standards dropped dramatically.
New Zealand experienced some short-term joy when Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Tendulkar departed in relatively quick succession to expose the tail at 443 for seven -- but were made to watch forlornly as a fortuitous Khan took the long handle.
Hoping to wrap up India's innings swiftly, New Zealand had to wait until Munaf Patel holed out in the deep before they could take a delayed tea break.
Khan clubbed eight boundaries in bringing up his half century off 45 balls though he should have been dismissed at 22 or 32.
Chris Martin was the first culprit when he failed to get a hand on a skier at deep mid-on and then Daniel Flynn misjudged a chance at deep point.
The session started encouragingly for New Zealand when Dhoni was dismissed three balls after a hint of controversy, having added 115 for the sixth wicket with Tendulkar.
Jesse Ryder felt he caught Dhoni brilliantly low down in the gully though the Indian captain was unmoved and television replays confirmed the ball from Iain O'Brien touched the ground millimetres before Ryder made contact.
However, doubt Dhoni's 47 was legitimately ended in the same over when he walked after a short ball caught the glove en route to counterpart Brendan McCullum.
A lifter also ended Tendulkar's 6-1/2 hour vigil.
Having smoothly advanced from 70 overnight to his fourth century against New Zealand and then 150, a tip-toeing Tendulkar was finally undone by an O'Brien steepler that took a leading edge and lobbed to Ross Taylor at first slip.
Tendulkar, who was dropped by Flynn 13 runs into what blossomed into his 42nd test century, ultimately struck 26 boundaries in his 260-ball masterclass.
The 35-year-old appeared capable of eclipsing his previous best against New Zealand -- a sublime 217 at Ahmedabad a decade ago -- until a rare lapse.
Harbhajan Singh started India's quest for quick runs when he struck the solitary six of the innings but it was Khan who landed the demoralising blows.
Martin maintained the best New Zealand bowling figures , taking three for 98 from 30 overs.
