A resolute Darren Bravo scored his maiden double century to deny New Zealand and ensure the Dunedin Test against the West Indies will go into a fifth day.
The West Indies finished day four on 6-443, forging a lead of 47 over the hosts after starting the day 228 runs behind.
The 24-year-old Bravo, a cousin of the great Brian Lara, showed sterling concentration for more than nine hours in making an unbeaten 210 to defy the New Zealand bowlers who toiled on the lifeless University Oval pitch.
He punched the air in delight after reaching 200 and was embraced by his captain Darren Sammy as he became the 26th West Indian to pass the milestone.
He found useful allies in Narsingh Deonarine (52), Denesh Ramdin (24) and Sammy (44 not out) to frustrate the home side seeking their first Test win of the year.
Starting the day on 2-168 after following on – having been dismissed for 213 in the first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 9(dec)-609 – the tourists lost two early wickets to dent their hopes of saving the Test.
But Bravo, who began the day on 72 after being given the benefit of the doubt by the television umpire on the third day after he appeared to be caught behind off his glove’s wristband, dug in during a stubborn innings which mixed gritty defence and powerful drives through the off-side.
The Blacks Caps might have thought they would make short work of the opposition when Southee struck in the fourth over to remove Marlon Samuels.
Those hopes were further boosted when Neil Wagner took his first wicket of the Test to claim the prized scalp of veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The 39-year-old, who a day earlier became just the seventh batsmen to pass 11,000 runs in Tests, was trapped lbw for one to reduce the tourists to 4-185.
But Bravo and Deonarine combined for a 122-run stand for the fifth wicket before Corey Anderson’s first Test wicket on home soil removed Deonarine.
Bravo is averaging 59.64 away from home, the best record by a West Indian.
He added 56 with Ramdin and combined with Sammy in a unbroken stand of 80.