Towering Kyle Jamieson has rocked the West Indies batting order on the second day to put the Blackcaps in control of the second test at Wellington's Basin Reserve.
When New Zealand's first innings ended at 460 soon after the lunch break, the tourists were immediately on the back foot, as opener Kraigg Braithwaite fell in their third with no runs on the board.
Jamieson grabbed wickets in consecutive balls - opener John Campbell and Roston Chase - and was narrowly deprived a hat-trick, when his next ball struck Jermaine Blackwood on the pads, but video reviews showed it missing leg stump.
His next ball also found Blackwood's pad and was also reviewed, but was deemed inconclusive and remained with the umpires not-out decision.
By the end of play, Jamieson had also bowled Shamarh Brooks, and had Windies captain Jason Holder and tailender Alzarri Joseph caught for his second test five-wicket bag in just his fourth outing.
With Tim Southee chipping in with three scalps, New Zealand had their rivals staggering at 124/8, still needing 36 runs to avoid the follow-on.
The home side had begun the day on 294/6, with middle-order batsman Henry Nicholls on 117 runs - his sixth test century. He would bring up his highest score at this level (174), before departing, but Neil Wagner's whirlwind 66 off 42 balls helped the pair to a 95-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
After winning the first test by more than an innings, New Zealand could elevate themselves to the top of world rankings with a similar result here, while also improving their standing in the world test championship.
Join us at 11am Sunday for live updates of the second Blackcaps v West Indies test