Tom Latham's century had ensured the tourists were on top at stumps on day one, as they patiently advanced to 243-3 after skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss.
Latham failed to add to his overnight total of 137, but New Zealand accumulated at a steady rate once again before being dismissed in the final session of the day - with Zulfiqar Babar taking 4-137.
That left Pakistan with 19 overs to negotiate before the close on Tuesday, but Ish Sodhi (1-12) and Mark Craig (1-8) dismissed Shan Masood (13) and Taufeeq Umar (16) respectively to enhance New Zealand's chances of squaring the three-match series.
Pakistan headed into the day needing early wickets to peg New Zealand back and Ehsan Adil (2-73) obliged in the second over of the day when he had Corey Anderson caught at cover.
After batting all day on Monday, Latham's fine knock came to an end in the following over when Rahat Ali (1-69) got one to nip away off the seam and the opener edged through to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Spinner Yasir then got in on the act by claiming his second wicket of the innings, with Jimmy Neesham gifting a routine catch to Misbah-ul-Haq at midwicket to ensure New Zealand had slumped to 278-6 and were in danger of undoing the good work on day one.
BJ Watling and Mark Craig set about rebuilding the innings as they put on 68 runs in 31 overs for the seventh wicket to frustrate Pakistan, with Craig riding his luck as he was dropped by Rahat before lunch.
Watling succumbed to Azhar, claiming only his second Test wicket, and Craig was on his way in the following over, but Tim Southee (17) and Sodhi (32 not out) added some useful runs at the bottom of the order before the innings was finally wrapped up.
Pakistan have racked up over 450 in their first innings in each of their last three Tests, but they have some work to do in order to continue that sequence after New Zealand struck twice before stumps.
Sodhi made the breakthrough with a delivery that turned sharply out of the run and bowled Masood through the gate. Craig then had Taufeeq stumped in the penultimate over of the day to leave resurgent Pakistan in what has been an unfamiliar position of being up against it.