Tander was quickest in practice yesterday, a late effort in his Holden stopping the clock at one minute, 23.2091 seconds.
But he was just one of seven drivers to break the practice record of 1min 23.5620sec for the 3.4km street circuit, a mark that compatriot Will Davison set last year.
Officials have made a number of changes to the track, including widening turn seven to provide another option for overtaking.
Elswhere, the much discussed chicane has also been tweaked to improve safety.
Tander, a past V8 series champion and the overall winner in Hamilton in 2008 when the city first hosted the New Zealand round, said the biggest thing his team noticed this time around was the amount of traction on the surface.
"Like everyone up and down pit lane, we were a bit surprised by the amount of grip that's being offered here," he said.
"There's more grip than last year, which is strange, given that a lot of the tarmac has weathered for another year. I think we will need to go faster tomorrow to stay in first position."
Before practice began, he hadn't thought Davison's record would be beaten, but when the early times began coming in, he thought someone could come close.
"Given that the time last year was with no tyre buckles at the chicane and we were all going through there in fifth gear, flat out, yes, I was surprised we got there."
Tander said the change to turn seven was one that could allow drivers to pick up time as well as provide a genuine passing opportunity.
"It's a bit smoother on line to the braking area and there's good grip there on the new tarmac," he said.
"As soon as soon as you turn across the previous tarmac, it's a little bumpy, but I think that's where a bit of speed has come from -- from widening that section of the track."
Tander said he didn't know what time would be needed to take pole for race one today, but he felt that his car had more in it than the time he produce at practice.
"I'm sure everyone else feels the same."
The previous stop for the V8 Supercars was the Australian Grand Prix meeting last month, when the three-race programme didn't carry championship points.
For defending V8 series champion Jamie Whincup, who won both races in Hamilton 12 months ago, the experience of a smooth Formula One track in Melbourne made the street circuit feel bumpy.
However, it was no different from last year, he said.
"The three or four changes they have made to the track I believe are good," he said.
"They are definitely good improvements. I feel like the back chicane is safer now."
