Needing to compile a record fourth innings of 438 to win, New Zealand was 242 for six when bad light intervened four overs before the scheduled close on the fourth day yesterday.
The highest successful run-chase at the ground is Pakistan's 277 for three in 2003, while New Zealand's best fourth innings chase remains its 324 for five against Pakistan in Christchurch 14 years ago.
The loss of Jacob Oram for 30 two balls before stumps placed England firmly in control.
Oram was dismissed by a screamer of a catch by Kevin Pietersen, who had been responsible for the most glaring miss among five chances squandered by English yesterday.
Facing the second new ball in murky conditions half an hour after play was first delayed due to bad light, Oram sparred into the gully region where a diving Pietersen more than atoned for his embarrassing attempt to remove Ross Taylor on 26.
The all-rounder was in the midst of compiling a crucial 69-run stand for the sixth wicket, and his demise leaves Brendon McCullum (43) and captain Daniel Vettori, who has yet to score, to resume this morning.
Taylor, who made 55, said the team remained positive despite the equation it faced.
‘‘If we can see through the new ball for the first hour without losing a wicket then our chances improve immensely,'' he said.
‘‘We are in the game. It's going to be a struggle but we have to be positive.''
Fortunately for England, its fielding inadequacies have not yet proven crucial, as each time the beneficiaries failed to capitalise.
Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose started the brows furrowing when he spilled a thin edge from Fleming's bat when the retirement-bound former skipper was on 10.
Playing his final test innings on his home ground, Fleming was clearly relieved but he did not make the most of the miss, being bowled for 31 when he shouldered arms to a delivery from Stuart Broad.
Fleming left the ground to a standing ovation, although hardly under the circumstances he would have desired.
He was the second of Broad's two victims in his ninth over, five balls after Matthew Bell's 141 minutes of torment was ended on 29.
The opener never looked comfortable and was eventually gloved by Ambrose after finally connecting following a succession of hopeful prods outside off stump.
Mathew Sinclair produced an innings full of promise until he was snapped up by Ian Bell at short cover off a half-hearted drive for 39, a dozen runs after he was grassed by Alastair Cook.
Sinclair and Taylor added 81 for the fourth wicket but, crucially for New Zealand, Taylor was also unable to profit from his reprieve from Pietersen.
After confidently registering his second half-century of the match, he was trapped lbw by Ryan Sidebottom, placing the onus on McCullum and Oram to hold the fort until stumps.
They progressed well with Oram enjoying a slice of good fortune when Ambrose missed a regulation stumping 13 runs into his innings.
The duo bought up the third half-century stand of the innings, with McCullum the aggressor.
Bad light then forced a five minute delay, although Oram and McCullum appeared unruffled until the second new ball was taken.
Earlier, England added 16 to its overnight score of 277 for nine before Monty Panesar became Chris Martin's second victim.
James Anderson, in doubt after rolling his ankle while playing football after stumps on Saturday night, showed no ill-effects with bat or ball.
He made 12 not out and then took one for 54, an effort overshadowed by Sidebottom's three for 72 and Broad's two for 38 from 16 overs.
Fielding calamities aside, Broad said the tourists were obviously delighted with their progress.
‘‘It's very pleasing, needing four wickets to win a test match on the last day,'' he said. ‘‘We've come out fighting, batted and bowled nicely and fielded well up until today.''
- Marcus Trescothick has pulled out of Somerset's preseason tour to Dubai after experiencing a recurrence of the stress-related illness that has ruined his England career.
It would have been the opening batsman's first overseas trip since flying home early from the 2006 Ashes tour in Australia because of stress.
England batsman Paul Collingwood said his former teammate needed to forget about a return to international action until he had fully recovered.
