New Zealand has made a stuttering start to its chase of Australia's first-innings total of 5-459 declared on day two of the first Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
The home side was struggling at 2-20 at tea, a poor response in an innings that really needs every batsman, particularly in the top order, to play to their full potential.
First to go was BJ Watling when he was trapped lbw for zero in Doug Bollinger's first over of the innings.
With Peter Ingram and Tim McIntosh struggling to get their innings underway, the Australians struck again through some individual brilliance from Mitchell Johnson.
Johnson kicked a ball off his own bowling into the stumps to run Ingram out for five in the 13th over to leave New Zealand desperate for an early partnership.
Australia had earlier declared on 5-459 an hour after lunch with Marcus North unbeaten on 112 and Brad Haddin on 11.
With Australia sitting in the box seat at 4-405 at lunch, it took a lapse of judgement from Michael Clarke for New Zealand to make the much-needed breakthrough at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Clarke, on 168, charged and missed a clever delivery from New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori that drifted down leg into the gloves of Brendon McCullum who whipped of the bails to end his superb innings.
Clarke had reached his 150, his highest score against New Zealand, shortly before the break, in 228 balls with 19 fours and two sixes.
Meanwhile, North had flown under the radar but was equally as impressive during the morning's play and reached his fourth century - and first against New Zealand - off 192 balls with eight fours and two sixes.
The pair had also notched a record fifth-wicket partnership against New Zealand, passing the old record of 214 to reach 253 between them before Clarke's dismissal.
Daryl Tuffey bowled conservatively and allowed just 49 runs to be scored of his 22 overs. But it was debutant Brent Arnel that proved the deadliest of the Kiwi bowlers, claiming two wickets for 89 runs off his 26 overs.
Vettori and Chris Martin each picked up one wicket but it was an innings dominated by the Australian batsmen who used the slowly drying pitch, and older balls, expertly to put New Zealand under enormous pressure with the bat.