Australia's pacemen struck twice to leave New Zealand vulnerable at 44 for two on the second day of the Boxing Day test after Travis Head scored a sparkling century to put the hosts firmly in command.
Tom Latham was nine not out with Ross Taylor on two, and New Zealand facing a mountain to climb to reel in Australia's first innings total of 467.
The tourists' opening woes continued, with Jeet Raval's replacement Tom Blundell out for 15 edging a Pat Cummins delivery to wicketkeeper/captain Tim Paine.