The two-time New Zealand champion mixed five birdies with two dropped in his round to take a two shot lead at New Plymouth Golf Club.
The Nelson player is two shots clear of Canterbury's Michael Holman (Christchurch) and former Eisenhower Representative Michael Barltrop (Royal Auckland), with a further shot back to Australia's legendary Stefan Albinski.
They were the only players to shoot par or better on the Ngamotu links course in excellent conditions yesterday.
Six players share fifth place on one-over 73 comprising Alistair Smith (Carterton), Warren Steward (Mt Maunganui), Australian Chris Coats, local star Murray Martin, Kapiti's Frank Borren (Paraparaumu) and Christchurch's Murray Brown (Russley).
Holman had four birdies and two bogies in his 71 while Barltrop had three birdies and two bogeys, including a drive out of bounds.
Albinski was very solid with birdies on the first hole and the difficult 17th with dropped shots on the third and 18th in his even par 72.
The tournament has attracted a strong field with 138 players including nine from Australia and one from Hong Kong.
Leading scores:
69 David Burton (Nelson)
71 Martin Holman (Christchurch), Michael Barltrop (Royal Auckland)
72 Stefan Albinski (Australia)
73 Alistair Smith (Carterton), Chris Coats (Australia), Warren Steward (Mt Maunganui), Murray Martin (New Plymouth), Frank Borren (Paraparaumu Beach), Murray Brown (Russley)
74 David Headland (Whitford Park), Arthur Parkin (Maungakiekie), Richard Brooky (Titahi Bay), Ken Holyoake (Gulf Harbour), Reg Fleet (Whangaparaoa).
