South African-born fast bowler Neil Wagner made a dream start to his first match for New Zealand on home soil as England battled to 5-81 at lunch on the second day of the first Test in Dunedin.

After being reduced to 3-18, the tourists hobbled to the break after a dominant morning session for the hosts which followed the first-day washout on Wednesday.

Relishing helpful conditions on his home ground of University Oval, left-armer Wagner claimed the key wickets of Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen off the second and third balls of his opening over – the 11th of the day.

Playing his fourth Test and his first on home soil, Wagner later removed Ian Bell for 24 to register figures of 3-38 off 10 overs and fully justify his call up in the place of injured seamer Doug Bracewell.

Earlier, Tim Southee looked dangerous throughout an opening spoil which exploited some early life in cold, overcast conditions.

Southee removed Nick Compton for a four-ball duck after the opener – whose Test place is under scrutiny – chopped onto his stumps with an unconvincing defensive stroke.

Wagner replaced Southee and prompted captain Cook (10) into an uncharacteristically loose cut shot which looped to point. A beautiful inswinger then trapped Pietersen LBW for a golden duck.

Jonathan Trott and Bell put on 46 for the third wicket as the sun came out and the surface flattened.

Bell paid for his first loose shot, driving uppishly to short extra cover where debut opening batsman Hamish Rutherford juggled but held the catch – his second of the morning.

Joe Root had reached four before he snicked a rising delivery from Trent Boult to Dean Brownlie at third slip.

A patient Trott was on 40 at lunch and wicketkeeper Matt Prior one.

Southee had taken 1-28 and Boult 1-14 while spinner Bruce Martin bowled two wicket-less overs on his Test debut.