The New Zealand cricketers are well on track to wrap up the one day series against Zimbabwe 2-0.
The Black Caps have Zimbabwe reeling at the halfway stage of the second one day international in Whangarei - the tourists are 81 for five from 25 overs, 292 runs short of the massive target of 373 set by the hosts.
Batting first at Cobham Oval, the Black Caps made 372 for six in their innings, with opener Rob Nicol top-scoring with 146 before he holed out near deep midwicket.
Rookie Tom Latham also chimed in with an impressive 48 off 28 balls before Shingi Masakadza bowled him in the penultimate over, while Martin Guptill got things going with 10 boundaries including two sixes in his 77 before he was caught on the boundary.
Jacob Oram, replacing Doug Bracewell, blazed a quickfire 59 off just 28 balls, including four big sixes, before he was caught at long on.
Brendon McCullum made 20 and Kane Williamson four.
Prosper Utseya was the pick of the Zimbabwe bowlers, collecting three wickets for 71.
The tourists won the toss and chose to bowl after rain in Whangarei delayed the start time by just over half an hour.
The Central Districts spinner Tarun Nethula debuted, becoming Black Cap number 171 while Nathan McCullum was the 12th man.
