Zimbabwe's top order finally showed some backbone today but the hosts were nevertheless facing an uphill battle in the second Test after New Zealand posted an enormous total on day two at Queens Sports Club.
After spending the better part of two days in the field as New Zealand racked up 582 for four declared, Zimbabwe responded with a dogged stand between openers Tino Mawoyo and Chamu Chibhabha to go to stumps on 55 without loss.
It was a much improved start for the hosts, who slumped to 36 for four and 17 for four during an innings defeat in the first Test, and gave them some confidence after their bowlers had proved ineffective on a docile pitch.
Zimbabwe endured a tough first day in the field as New Zealand put on 329 for two, and their fortunes with the ball on the second day were little better.
Although they dismissed both Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls in the opening session, Williamson had already reached three figures to become the first New Zealand batsman to score centuries against all of the other nine Test nations.
A day shy of his 26th birthday, he was also the youngest of the 13 Test batsmen to achieve the feat, and did it in fewer Tests than anyone else.
The New Zealand captain did, however, depart in a soft fashion when he guided a wide delivery from Mike Chinouya straight to gully to fall for 113.
Nicholls scored just 15 before he misjudged the length of a Graeme Cremer delivery and was trapped lbw whilst trying to sweep.
