It's been a gloomy start to the second Test for the Black Caps, having collapsed once again against Australia, leaving their hopes of squaring the series looking grim.
All the talk of vanquishing the perceived hoodoo the team seems to suffer from when coming up against their trans-Tasman rivals appeared to be fruitless, as New Zealand were bundled out for 162 inside 46 overs on day one in Christchurch.
Only an inspired spell from Matt Henry late in the day has kept the Black Caps alive, though Australia still remain in the driver's seat, going into stumps 124/4, trailing by just 38.
New Zealand were sent in to bat on a very green wicket at Hagley Oval, and while openers Tom Latham and Will Young survived the new ball, their demise sparked a collapse either side of lunch.
Young was the first to fall for 14, as he tried to whip Mitchell Starc through the leg side, only for a leading edge to fall into the grasp of Mitchell Marsh at third slip.
Latham followed shortly after, feathering Josh Hazlewood to keeper Alex Carey for 38, a disappointing end to what had been a promising innings.
Hazlewood soon had another, as a wild drive from Rachin Ravindra only found an edge that was easily taken by Usman Khawaja at first slip, the young Kiwi batter departing for just 4 on the brink of lunch.
Honours were fairly even at the break, New Zealand 71/3 with Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell at the crease.
But wickets began to tumble after the interval. First, Mitchell became the latest victim of Hazlewood, caught behind for 4, before Williamson was trapped in front by the tall fast bowler, departing for 17.
Glenn Phillips (2) and Scott Kuggeleijn (0) fell in consecutive deliveries to Starc, before Tom Blundell (22) was strangled down the leg side off Cameron Green two balls later to see New Zealand slump to 107/8.
Matt Henry and Tim Southee briefly provided the Christchurch crowd with some fireworks, before Southee fell for 26 top-edging a Pat Cummins bouncer to Hazlewood at fine leg.
Henry nicked off to Hazlewood in the next over to give the Australian his 12th five-wicket bag in Test cricket.
New Zealand have failed to pass 200 in any innings this series and have not passed 300 against Australia in their last nine attempts.
In reply, Australia got to stumps 124/4, having lost openers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, first-Test centurion Cameron Green and Travis Head.
Smith was the first to depart, trapped in front for 11 leaving one that nipped back off the pitch, giving young seamer Ben Sears his first scalp in Test cricket.
Khawaja fell to a piece of misfortune. Trying to guide Matt Henry down the leg side, the ball hit his thigh pad and ricocheted into leg stump, seeing him depart for 16.
Green and Marnus Labuschagne looked set to take Australia to stumps but a magical over from Henry troubled Green and eventually castled the Australian off the sixth delivery.
Henry also removed Head for 21, the left-handed batter trying to thrash a pull shot through square leg, only to find a bottom edge that carried to Blundell.
New Zealand 162 all out (Latham 38; Hazlewood 5-31)
Australia 124/4 (Labuschagne 45no; Henry 3-39)
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