A fine maiden Test century by Jerome Taylor was not enough to get the West Indies past New Zealand's first innings total of 365 in the rain-affected first Test in Dunedin on Sunday.

Despite a record seventh wicket partnership between Taylor and Shivnarine Chanderpaul of 153, the tourists fell 25 runs short of the New Zealand total as they were bowled out for 340 shortly after drinks in the final session of day four at University Oval.

But they fought back well to have New Zealand for 44 for two at the close, a lead of 69 runs, after Daren Powell cleaned bowled Jamie How (10) and nightwatchman Kyle Mills (nought) with successive balls.

Daniel Flynn survived the hat-trick ball to be four not out at stumps with Tim McIntosh unbeaten on 24 after being dropped by Sewnarine Chattergoon in the final over of the day.

But the day really belonged to Taylor who took less than a run a ball to bring up his 100, his 16th boundary in the penultimate over before drinks in the final session bringing up 101 and sparking joyous celebrations in the West Indies camp.

It was the first time Taylor had gone past 50 in a first-class match, let alone reached three figures in a Test and the 24-year-old fast bowler showed plenty of composure and some lovely touches as he hit shots all round the ground on his way to 106 - 86 of those runs come from 17 fours and three sixes.

None of New Zealand's bowlers were spared with Mark Gillespie, who had the worst return of the home sides bowlers of nought for 102 off 21 overs, regularly dispatched to the boundary.

Even New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who ended the innings with six for 56 off 25 overs, did not escape with Taylor taking 14 runs of the left arm spinner in the first over he faced the Black Caps skipper.

The West Indies were in trouble at 173 for six when Taylor came to the crease but he and Chanderpaul, who was eventually last man out on 76, steadied the ship to get the tourists through to 253 for six by tea, with Taylor bringing up his first Test half-century with the last ball before the interval.

Chanderpaul followed that up with his 50 in the over immediately after the break and from there Taylor accelerated away to reach his 100 off just 97 balls with a boundary off James Franklin.

But two overs after drinks Vettori got the breakthrough as Taylor edged behind to give Brendon McCullum a regulation catch and from there the West Indies crumbled.

Powell went next ball to leave Vettori on a hat-trick but Fidel Edwards survived, although he failed to trouble the scorer before he was also sent packing when substitute field Sean Eathorne, on the field as cover for Ross Taylor who dislocated and chipped a bone in the ring finger of his right hand earlier in the day, took an impressive diving catch to give Vettori his fifth wicket.

Chanderpaul followed two overs later when the Black Caps skipper clean bowled him.

New Zealand began the day in fine style taking the key wickets of Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan as the tourists, who resumed on 39 for no loss, slumped to 158 for four by lunch.

Gayle resuming on 29 looked set for a big score as he found the rope at regular intervals, bringing up his half-century with his eighth boundary of the innings.

But with fellow opener Chattergoon, who started the day on nine, looking increasingly uncomfortable it was only a matter of time before he hooked a shot to Iain O'Brien to go for 13.

Mills and McCullum then combined to dismiss dangerman Sarwan for eight before Gayle threw his wicket away with a mis-timed pull shot off O'Brien which went straight to Franklin.

Xavier Marshall's dismissal for 20 was less straightforward with Vettori calling for a referral to Rudi Koertzen after Amish Saheba had turned down a bat, pad catch which the South African third umpire eventually gave.

Overall though, it was a tough day for New Zealand bowlers with Gillespie particularly expensive and Franklin still working his way back from injury with no wickets for 61 runs off 15 overs.

Mills, who was a late replacement for the injured Jacob Oram, was the next best behind Vettori with three for 64 off 24, while O'Brien picked up the key wicket of the West Indies skipper to finish with one for 46 off 15.