New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor fought back after losing quick wickets on day one of the first Test in Mount Maunganui on Saturday.
The kiwis were 222 for three at stumps with the skipper scoring an unbeaten 94.
Henry Nicholls was the other not out batsman on 42 as New Zealand recovered from being 13 for two after Pakistan's baby-faced destroyer Shaheen Afridi removed openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell cheaply on a green, seaming wicket.
In a 120-run stand, filled with determination and concentration in difficult conditions, Williamson and Ross Taylor pulled New Zealand back into the game.
