Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich have dug their heels in to take Australia to 1-93 at lunch in the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
After Phil Hughes, a late replacement for Shane Watson, came out firing on all cylinders and got the visitors off to a quick start, New Zealand debutant Brent Arnel struck to end his innings on 20.
With Katich, on 32, taking it slow at one end, Ponting kept the run rate ticking over to hit the sheds at lunch on 35.
Northern Districts seamer Arnel had a good start to his international career and finished his first seven overs with one wicket for 25 runs.
New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers however, giving away only nine runs off his first five overs.
Earlier, the coin toss fell the way of Ponting before choosing to bat first.
Ponting, who won every toss in the recently completed Chappell-Hadlee one-day series, and his side will bat first on a bouncy-looking pitch that he likened to the WACA on Thursday.
Watson was ruled out of the Test at the last minute when a hip injury he picked up in the fourth ODI match resurfaced while training in the build-up.
On a more positive note for the tourists, seamer Ryan Harris overcame a side strain and is making his Test match debut. Clint McKay was named as 12th man.
New Zealand named an obvious starting XI with Arnel making his debut. Arnel, a veteran wicket-taker in domestic cricket, should suit the pitch conditions and will bat at 10.
Spinner Jeetan Patel will again provide cover as 12th man.