Blackcaps master Kane Williamson and opener Tom Latham have overcome challenging conditions and tamed the West Indies attack to set a solid foundation on the opening day of the test cricket summer.
New Zealand will resume on Friday morning at 243/2, with their two best batsman - Williamson and Ross Taylor - at the Seddon Park wicket.
The early loss of debutant Will Young (5) was the only black mark for the home side on a rain-shortened day, as Latham and Williamson batted the tourists into virtual submission.
The pair added 154 for the second wicket, with Latham stroking 12 boundaries in a well-compiled 86, before he was finally undone by the pace of Kemar Roach.
West Indies captain Jason Holder won the toss and didn't hesitate to send New Zealand in on a green top at Hamilton's Seddon Park, with rain delaying the start by two hours.
Young survived a close call in the fourth over, nicking Shannon Gabriel between the wicketkeeper and first slip, but fell a ball later, trapped leg before wicket to end his first test innings in just under 15 minutes.
Blackcaps captain Williamson immediately took control of the innings, reaching 20 from his first 30 balls, before settling into a trademark knock, mixing well-timed boundary strokes with quickly run singles.
New Zealand reached 99/1 at the tea break, before both batters brought up their half-centuries early in the extended final session.
Latham moved quickly from to 86, before playing inside a straight delivery that collected his off-stump.
Taylor looked busy when he arrived, hitting three boundaries in his first 20 balls, as the West Indies bowlers became ragged and frustrated.
Williamson continued to deny the tourists, eventually ending the day on 97, with Taylor cruising through to 31, as the pair added 75 in 22 overs.
Join us at 10:40am Friday for live updates of the Blackcaps v West Indies first test
