It was a dominant first day for the hosts but their already ravaged bowling stocks were further depleted by a freak injury to Blair Tickner.
Tickner had marked his return to the Test arena with 4-32 in a fine display of impact bowling when he dived to prevent the ball from crossing the boundary rope in the final session, injuring his left shoulder in the effort.
The 32-year-old ended the first day of his fourth Test, and first for nearly three years, in hospital and looking unlikely to play any meaningful further part in the match.
The injury to Tickner is particularly poignant, given the setbacks he has had to overcome throughout his career.
Just before his Test debut, his father's house was destroyed in a cyclone. And while playing for Derbyshire, his wife Sarah was diagnosed with leukemia.
"Things are bigger than cricket," Tickner told media before the current match.
He learned of Sarah's diagnosis as he was about to start a four-day match for Derbyshire in the English county championship. The England Cricket Board ruled he could not be replaced at late notice.
"So I had to play that game knowing my wife had leukemia, going back and forth to the hospital and playing," Tickner said. "Looking back, it's crazy."
Sarah went through chemotherapy in New Zealand while pregnant with their first child. She is now in remission.
"If something went bad, I'd always be there. It was a journey for sure," Tickner said. "She is still having monthly chemo but she's a strong woman. It's been a big ordeal for the family but we're getting out the other side."
The seamer had earlier teamed up with 30-year-old debutant Michael Rae (3-67) to put the tourists firmly on the ropes and prevent them from building on their great escape in the drawn series opener in Christchurch last week.
New Zealand chose to put West Indies in to bat after winning the toss and the Caribbean islanders made a decent start with John Campbell and Brandon King putting on 66 for the opening wicket.
Tickner trapped King in front for 33, however, and then sent back Kavem Hodge for a duck in similar fashion to make the first inroads.
Rae, distinctive with a white headband wrapped around his bald head, then got in on the act when he had Campbell caught in the slips for 44 for his first Test wicket.
"I guess on the first day of a Test match if you've rolled the other team for 200 and you're 20 or so without loss, you're happy," Tickner said.
"It's been a really surreal couple of days for me since I knew I was going to play. Pinch me.
"Today if someone asked me when do you get comfortable bowling ... you don't."
Shai Hope was the next West Indies batter to get a start and made 48 before a Tickner bouncer had him in all sorts of trouble and he gloved the ball to Kane Williamson in the slips.
Skipper Roston Chase made 29 before becoming Tickner's fourth victim and the last seven West Indies wickets tumbled for the addition of only 52 runs.
Devon Conway, who was 16 not out, and Tom Latham, unbeaten on seven, negotiated a few tricky moments as the ball moved around a bit in the nine overs they faced before stumps.
with AP
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