Anthony Quayle fired a 67 to be 10-under and the best placed Australian at the NZ PGA Championship, just two shots behind leader Shaun Jones.
The New Zealander fired a course record equalling 63 on day two at the Manawatu Golf Club to set the pace at 12-under.
First year professional Quayle is a shot clear of fellow first-round leader and countryman Ben Clementson and Kiwi Josh Geary.
"It was fun out there, it was a bit tougher out there today," Quayle said.
"I've had some decent performances as an amateur in these New Zealand events, my games been feeling good and I'm feeling pretty confident with it."
Local knowledge, two eagles and a scorching front nine had leader Jones thinking of a historic 59, before tougher conditions on the back nine prevailed.
"Without really meaning to, I was thinking about 59," Jones said..
"I will go home and ring my mental coach. I did start thinking about it which is not a good thing, it's one shot at a time,"
Defending champion Brad Kennedy and fellow Australian Josh Younger are tied-fifth at eight-under.
"You've just got to keep it in play around here and give yourself some opportunities and I managed to drive the ball a lot better today and made a few through the middle which was nice," Younger said.
James Nitties, Matthew Giles and Jarryd Felton a shot further back at seven-under going in to the weekend.
The lone American visitor, Heath Slocum is well off the pace at one-under after a second round 73.
The tournament in North Palmerston is a part of the Tour of Australasia.
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