A Calypso collapse after lunch on the opening day of the third Test has left the West Indies with an uphill battle to deny New Zealand a series win.
West Indies scrambled to be 5-142 at tea with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin both unbeaten on 30.
The tourists looked to be cruising at 1-71 at lunch before losing four wickets in 34 balls to be 5-86.
Tim Southee and Corey Anderson shared the wickets to undo the solid work in the opening session after the visitors lost the toss and were asked to bat on a placid Seddon Park pitch.
Ill discipline cost West Indies dearly with three wickets gifted to the New Zealand bowlers and a touch-and-go umpiring decision accounted for the fourth.
Southee got the ball rolling to remove the stubborn Kraigg Brathwaite in the third over after the resumption when he guided a short ball to gully.
Opener Brathwaite, who made 45, was playing his first match of the series after replacing an injured Darren Bravo as one of three West Indies changes for the Test.
Southee and wicketkeeper BJ Watling combined after a third umpire review to remove Kirk Edwards after he feathered an edge trying to leave a ball then Marlon Samuels slashed a ball for Kane Williamson’s second gully catch after a juggle.
Umpire Ian Gould gave Anderson his second wicket soon after with Narsingh Deonarine unlucky to be adjudged lbw to a ball just clipping the top of leg stump.
After the collapse Chanderpaul and Ramdin combined to add 56 despite legspinner Ish Sodhi causing them both some problems.