New Zealand brightened a grey second morning of the second Test against the West Indies with bold batting before being dismissed for 441 in Wellington.

Resuming at 6-307 after a 75-minute rain delay, the Black Caps rattled off 134 runs in 25.1 overs, built around a sixth Test half-century to BJ Watling.

The diminutive wicketkeeper was the last man out, for 65 off 125 balls, in the final over before lunch – maintaining a good run of form with the bat.

He started day two on eight and struck five fours before being bowled, swinging across the line to a straight ball from seamer Shannon Gabriel.

Watling provided the glue while Tim Southee (21 off 14 balls), Ish Sodhi (27 off 35) and No.11 Trent Boult (38 not out off 27) warmed up the small crowd in cool conditions with colourful cameos.

The 10th-wicket stand of 58 with Boult was a New Zealand record against the West Indies, surpassing the 45 scored by Robert Kennedy and Danny Morrison at Bridgetown in 1996.

Southee, who resumed on nine, skied a catch to deep square leg off seamer Darren Sammy.

Sodhi’s knock was ended by fine edge off pace bowler Tino Best, who then snared Neil Wagner for a golden duck, caught by Sammy at second slip.

Boult made the West Indies pay for their fifth dropped catch of the innings when he was on three.

The culprit was Best, who spilled a straightforward chance over the boundary rope off the bowling of Shane Shillingford.

The offspinner’s mood wasn’t helped when Boult smashed him for 14 runs off three successive deliveries in his next over as New Zealand climbed past 400.

Best finished with 4-110 while Gabriel (2-86) and Sammy (2-92) were more consistent but also failed to exploit helpful seam conditions.