James Pattinson has bounced back from a costly no-ball and coach's rocket with Australia surging towards victory and the No.1 Test ranking in Christchurch.
New Zealand were 4-121 at stumps on day three of the second Test, trailing Australia by 14 runs.
The tourists need a win or draw to take top spot on the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.
A well-set Kane Williamson is 45 not out and the final gatekeeper of note.
Pattinson snared three wickets on Monday, keeping his foot well behind the line for all of them.
The express paceman overstepped when he dismissed Brendon McCullum on day one of the contest.
McCullum was on 39 at the time and scored 145, smashing the fastest ever Test ton.
"The coach didn't miss him after play on day one and that's probably putting it nicely," Adam Voges said.
"He probably didn't disagree with anything the coach said.
"He got a rocket and he's come out and responded.
"To come back from the disappointment ... to produce that today is a terrific effort."
Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls were all dismissed by the express paceman.
"He was excellent ... bowled aggressively, bowled with good pace," Voges said.
Pattinson was booed by the Hagley Oval crowd after two animated appeals in the 34th over.
Adopted son McCullum was the batsman on both occasions, with a bump-ball catch sparking a particularly scornful response from locals.
The final knock of McCullum's international career ended the following over, when David Warner reeled in a spectacular one-handed catch at midwicket.
Josh Hazlewood roared in delight, his previous delivery having been smacked for six, while McCullum received a standing ovation.
McCullum loomed as the man most capable of taking the game away from Australia.
"There's always the fear," Voges said.
"He was starting to see them better so it was a good time to get him."
Australia are in the box seat to win the clash and grab a 2-0 series victory.
Williamson could help NZ set a decent target, although Voges noted his side would be "comfortable chasing anything".
The confidence is understandable.
The visitors claimed a first-innings lead of 135 runs thanks to a determined 289-run stand between Steve Smith and Joe Burns on day two.
Voges and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon, who scored 33, further demoralised NZ in Monday's lopsided morning session.
Australia added 92 runs prior to lunch, although the Black Caps fought back after the meal break.
NZ paceman Neil Wagner grabbed career-best figures of 6-106 as Australia were all out for 505.
There was a sense of deja vu about the Wagner-inspired collapse of 5-41.
Voges fell for 60 in the second over after lunch, while Mitch Marsh was out for 18 shortly after.
Both West Australians were out pulling short balls, as was the case with centurions Smith and Burns.
"There's six blokes there on the pull shot so it's not smart cricket," Voges said.
"We need to be better ... we need to be a little bit smarter."
NZ keeper BJ Watling was upbeat his side could post a competitive total.
"We've definitely got a few players in the shed," Watling said.
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