Record-breaking debutant centurion Hamish Rutherford piled on the agony for England on day three of the first Test at the University Oval.
New Zealand raced past England's paltry first-innings 167 all out on the way to 402 for seven before more bad weather wiped out most of the final session in this rain-shortened match.
James Anderson (four for 108) moved ever closer to the 300 club among his country's all-time leading Test wicket-takers, as the tourists tried to limit a lead which had nonetheless long put New Zealand in control.
Rutherford (171) reached three-figures in memorable style on his home ground with a crunching cover-drive off Steven Finn for his 15th four. Far from satisfied yet, he then passed 150 by hitting Monty Panesar for the first of two towering sixes high over long-off in the same over.
Rutherford savours his debut Test century
Shortly before he went to his century, England narrowly avoided the ignominy of seeing their total surpassed without managing to take a single wicket in reply. Peter Fulton (55), batting at an anchor tempo while Rutherford continued to dominate, posted just his second Test 50 from 153 balls.
The opening stand was finally broken, though, on 158 as Fulton appeared to be undone more than anything by a lack of pace when he got an inside-edge for a low catch behind by Matt Prior off Anderson.
Rutherford was unperturbed and kept the boundaries coming in a partnership of 91 with Kane Williamson until the number four was bowled, trying to cut a Panesar arm ball.
It was not until Anderson took the second new ball in early afternoon that he immediately ended Rutherford's innings, caught at midwicket by substitute fielder Chris Woakes after appearing to play too early. By then the New Zealander was seventh in the all-time list of highest runscorers on Test debut.
His departure was followed by three more for the addition of only 16 runs, birthday boy Ross Taylor caught at second slip off Anderson and Dean Brownlie edging him on in defence before BJ Watling left alone his first ball from Stuart Broad and was bowled off-stump.
Tim Southee tried one big hit too many at Broad, and was bowled, but Brendon McCullum was still in situ with Bruce Martin when rain and bad light brought an early close.