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Martin Guptill bats - Source: Reuters -
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Michael Clarke and Marcus North scored centuries in the first Test in Wellington and Ross Taylor is confident New Zealand's batsmen can do the same on day three.
Marcus North shrugged off a poor summer by hitting an unbeaten 112 and Michael Clarke scored a career-best 168 in Australia's 5-459 declared at the Basin Reserve.
Their partnership of 253 was a record for the fifth-wicket for Australia against New Zealand.
The Black Caps will resume Sunday on 4-108 with skipper Daniel Vettori 42 not out and Martin Guptill unbeaten on 19.
"Tomorrow's going to be an important first session," said Taylor, who was out caught in slips for 21 off the bowling of Doug Bollinger (2-21).
"If we can lose no wickets or one at the most, we're back in the game.
"You've got to give credit to Australia. Ryan Harris (1-23) and Doug Bollinger bowled very well on what's quite a flat deck.
"We shouldn't be here if we don't think we are going to win the game, save the game. We know it's going to be hard work."
North, whose Test spot was under scrutiny this week after a poor home summer at Test and Shield levels, said he was glad to put several months of media speculation behind him.
"It was a learning experience for me, playing for Western Australia for a long period of time and never had my spot questioned," North said.
"It's been an interesting process but it's nice to be at the other end of it."
North said Ricky Ponting's declaration 12 overs after lunch was a positive step: "With rain maybe lingering around towards the end of the game I thought it was a great move to get the game moving forward."
Australia had resumed on Saturday morning on 4-316.
Clarke's six-hour display ended when he charged the bowling of spinner Vettori and was stumped down leg-side with Australia's score on 5-429.
