Michael Clarke's 168 helped Australia to 459-5 declared, before reducing hosts New Zealand to 108-4 on day two of the first Test.
The 28-year-old right-hander finished day one on 100 and he continued with the bat in Wellington to build a record 253-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Marcus North, who finished the innings on 112 not out.
Clarke eventually went to captain Daniel Vettori, who managed to get one past him, before Brendon McCullum whipped the bails off.
And skipper Ricky Ponting opted to declare on 459 midway through the middle session to allow his bowlers an opportunity to put pressure on the Black Caps batsmen after lunch.
And they did not disappoint as Doug Bollinger (2-21) trapped opener BJ Watling for a duck, before Mitchell Johnson run out Peter Ingram for five.
Early in the final session, Ryan Harris got his maiden Test wicket when Tim McIntosh pushed a thick edge to Michael Hussey, before Ross Taylor was caught by North off the first ball of Bollinger's new spell.
Vettori gave the hosts a glimmer of hope as he was still unbeaten on 42 alongside Martin Guptill at stumps.
Following play North revealed his hard work in practice ahead of the first Test had come to fruition during the first innings.
"Coming to New Zealand with no form under my belt whatsoever and spending three days working with Ricky really gave me the boost I needed," he said.
"Without a doubt getting in that mindset has certainly contributed to me getting a hundred in this first Test. It was nice to get those three figures.
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There were some tough periods but it was just nice that Pup [Clarke] and I stuck together and helped each other through it."