With time appearing just as valuable as runs for Australia, captain Tim Paine was the last man dismissed for 39 off 105 balls as Neil Wagner and Tim Southee both took four wickets.

His innings at least guarantees Australia's bowlers will have a new ball under lights, when it is most dangerous and likely to swing.

With the temperature around 40 degrees and New Zealand a bowler down due to the injured Lockie Ferguson, Australia went at just 2.84 an over in their innings.

Only Mitchell Starc added any real aggression on Friday, hitting 30 off 41 before skying one from Southee (4-93).

Before his arrival, Pat Cummins and Paine soaked up more than 22 overs for their 39-run partnership, before Jeet Raval bowled the young quick around his legs.

Earlier, Travis Head again failed to turn a half-century into a big score when he hit Southee straight to cover on 56.

He punched the ball off the back foot through point impressively on Friday afternoon, but paid the price for swinging hard at a delivery outside off stump.

The 25-year-old has hit seven half-centuries and just one hundred in his 15-Test career, with his sole ton coming last year in Canberra.

Marnus Labuschagne was removed for 143 in Friday's first session, finally bowled for 143 by Wagner after hitting his third-straight century on day one.

However, he was beaten by an excellent piece of bowling from Wagner, who took 4-92.

After barely offering a chance in his previous 239 balls, Labuschagne was bowled when one delivery swung and moved off his pitch past his legs and into the stumps.

The Black Caps' quick had routinely banged the ball in short at the right-hander, who stepped inside and tried to glance it as it moved past him.

Labuschagne's third-consecutive century is certain to lock him into the No.3 position long term, after becoming the first Australian first drop to hit successive tons in 93 years.

His dismissal came after Wagner also removed Steve Smith and David Warner on the opening day, both for 43.

Australian Associated Press