New Zealand are back in control of their first Test meeting with Pakistan thanks to a disappointing end to the third day for the tourists.
Starting Friday's session on 104-3, the Black Caps were dismissed for 200 before lunch and struggled to halt their opponents' momentum as the contest was left in the balance.
Pakistan lost just one wicket in their first 40 overs at the crease, Sami Aslam going for seven runs as the Green Shirts reached tea on 50-1 in Christchurch.
Neil Wagner started the New Zealand surge, taking Babar Azam (29) for his 110th Test wicket, before Younis Khan was sent packing soon after for just a single run.
That led to skipper Misbah ul-Haq joining the batting action, but he managed 13 runs before being caught on the boundary, while Azhar Ali (31), Sarfraz Ahmed (2) and Mohammad Amir (6) were dismissed in quick succession.
The loss of four batsmen in the space of five overs leaves Pakistan in a perilous position on 129-7 in their second innings, as New Zealand are now 52 runs behind with three wickets remaining heading into day four.