MORE: Clarke leads emotional tribute to Hughes
The Australian batsman's passing after being struck by a ball has left a cloud over the sport, with the second day of the third Test postponed after Hughes' death was confirmed.
Superb knocks from Brendon McCullum (202) and Kane Williamson (192) helped the Kiwis to a 286-run lead on day three with some masterful stroke-play.
Taylor admits the circumstances made celebrations difficult to muster though.
He said: "It was another strange day. If you had told us, without the other circumstances, we would be very ecstatic and very happy with the day.
"I think strange is the only word I could really [use to] describe it.
"Brendon and Kane batted outstandingly well but we would like to celebrate it in better circumstances.
"But I'm sure where we're at as a team - we'll just take it day by day and I'm sure maybe at the end of the Test match we might be able to reflect back on it and maybe celebrate it a little bit more than we are currently.
"I think it just goes a little bit to show how when you take the pressure away from it in the game situation and just bat like you did when you were a little kid, how things evolve.
"I think every player that went out there today just went and played their natural game and didn't think about things too much."
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis credited the Black Caps' performance in such testing mental conditions.
He added: "I think they both [Williamson and McCullum] played splendidly well.
"When somebody is in a mode where he's coming after bowling, it's difficult for any kind of bowlers to survive on this kind of pitch because it's very flat, and no credit taken away from both of them, they both played extraordinarily well.
"They both were free-flowing and extraordinary.
"It is very sad [the death of Phillip Hughes] as we all know. It's not an easy pill to swallow.
"It's difficult times, but we fought hard. We played quite good cricket but they played really well.
"You cannot really make an excuse because of that. Both days have been won by the New Zealanders. They've been superb."