After Glenn Phillips’ maiden Test century helped New Zealand post a competitive total, the visitors’ pace attack struck regularly to leave England trailing by 169 runs with only the lower order remaining.
At stumps, debutant Jordan Cox was unbeaten on 22, while Jofra Archer was yet to open his account.
New Zealand were bowled out shortly before lunch for 391, a total boosted significantly by Phillips’ superb knock of exactly 100. It was the all-rounder’s first century in Test cricket and helped the visitors recover from a difficult position.
England’s reply was led by opener Emilio Gay, who scored 53. It was his second successive half-century in only his second Test match. Joe Root looked set for a big score but fell for 46, trapped in front by Matt Henry, leaving him just two runs short of becoming only the second batter to reach 14,000 Test runs.
Henry, who had struggled with back spasms during the previous Test at Lord’s, was New Zealand’s standout bowler. The fast bowler removed both England captain Ben Stokes and vice-captain Harry Brook to put the hosts under pressure.
Nathan Smith also made an impact, claiming a wicket and producing a brilliant run-out to dismiss Ben Duckett with a sharp side-arm throw while on the move.
England briefly fought back through debutants Cox and James Rew, who added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. However, New Zealand struck again just 10 minutes before stumps when Will O’Rourke had Rew caught at slip for 24.
Rew had received a lifeline earlier when Rachin Ravindra spilled a chance, but New Zealand ensured the damage remained limited.
With England still 169 runs behind and only four wickets in hand, New Zealand head into Day 3 firmly in control of the contest.
