Wellington: New Zealand has made a poor start with the bat in reply to Australia's imposing first-innings total to end on a disappointing 4-108 at stumps on day two of the first Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

After Australia declared on 5-459, the home side struggled to find any rhythm and lost a string of cheap wickets to put enormous pressure on captain Daniel Vettori (42 not out) and Martin Guptill (19 not out).

The pair survived through to the end of the day and forged a decent 65-run partnership to help the Black Caps fight back somewhat.

Doug Bollinger was the best of the Australian bowlers, picking up 2-21 off 10 overs.

He claimed his first in the opening over of the innings when he trapped BJ Watling lbw for a golden duck.

With Peter Ingram and Tim McIntosh struggling to get their innings underway, the Australians struck again through some individual brilliance from Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson kicked a ball that was hit off his own bowling into the stumps to run Ingram out for five in the 13th over to leave New Zealand desperate for an early partnership.

McInstosh (nine) and Ross Taylor (21) were soon both caught in the slips and left New Zealand struggling on 3-44 before Vettori and Guptill began to resurrect their side's innings.

Australia had earlier declared an hour after lunch, leaving Marcus North unbeaten on a well-hit 112 with Brad Haddin down the other end on 11.

With Australia sitting in the box seat at 4-405 at lunch, it took a lapse of concentration from Michael Clarke for New Zealand to make the much-needed breakthrough.

Clarke, on 168, charged and missed a clever delivery from Vettori that drifted down leg into the gloves of Brendon McCullum who whipped of the bails to dismiss the vice-captain for his highest Test score.

Clarke had reached 150, his highest score against New Zealand, shortly before the break.

He got to the milestone in 228 balls and hit 19 fours and two sixes.

Meanwhile, North had flown under the radar but was equally as impressive during the morning's play and reached his fourth century, and his first against New Zealand, off 192 balls with eight fours and two sixes.

The pair had also notched a record fifth-wicket partnership against New Zealand, passing the old record of 214 to reach 253 between them before Clarke's dismissal.

Daryl Tuffey bowled conservatively and allowed just 49 runs to be scored off his 22 overs.

But it was debutant Brent Arnel that proved the deadliest of the Kiwi bowlers, claiming 2-89 off 26 overs.

Vettori and Chris Martin each picked up one wicket but it was an innings dominated by the Australian batsmen who used the slowly drying pitch, and older balls, expertly to put New Zealand under enormous pressure.

Brief scores
Australia: 459 for 5 dec (Clarke 168, North 112*, Katich 79)
New Zealand: 108 for 4 (Vettori 42*)
Status: New Zealand trail by 351 runs