Ross Taylor led a New Zealand fightback as honours ended even on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan in Dunedin.

The batsman hit 94 and starred in a 117-run stand for the third wicket with Martin Guptill (60) after opener Tim McIintosh had been removed first ball.

The Black Caps then recovered from losing three wickets in quick succession with the reliable duo of Brendon McCullum and skipper Daniel Vettori putting on an unbeaten half-century stand in the final session to take the hosts to 276-6.

Teenage paceman Mohammad Aamer drew first blood for the tourists with a fast yorker that proved too good for McIintosh just after Mohammad Yousuf had won the toss and inserted New Zealand.

Daniel Flynn followed shortly after, edging the returning Mohammad Asif to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal for eight to leave the Kiwis 27-2.

But, on a wicket reknowned as a bowler's paradise, Guptill and Taylor set about repairing the damage with the former passing his previous Test best of 46.

The visitors were left to rue several dropped catches throughout the course of the day after Asif, Aamer and Umar Gul provided the batsmen with more problems than they could hope for.

Guptill was grassed twice - Imran Farhat shelling a chance at second slip off Gul with the batsman on 26, and then Gul misjudged an aerial shot to deep fine leg that landed over the ropes.

However, after 10 fours and a six in his gritty 142-ball innings Guptill finally succumbed to the pull, finding Fawad Alam off Aamer with the Kiwis better placed on 144 for three.

Taylor played a more dashing role in the partnership, hitting some customary cover drives and square cuts as he registered 13 boundaries plus a six that landed outside the University Oval.

He also survived an Umpire Decision Review after bowler Asif asked for an lbw appeal that was turned down by Billy Doctrove to be appraised by television umpire Rudi Koertzen.

Taylor reached his half-century in 87 balls and moved steadily towards a fifth Test ton before driving a wider delivery off spinner Saeed Ajmal, only succeeding in edging to Farhat, who made up for his earlier error.

A mini-collapse ensued, with Peter Fulton (29) bowled by Asif and all-rounder Grant Elliott edging the same bowler to Akmal for eight as three wickets fell for 19 runs.

But Farhat dropped his second catch of the day to allow Vettori to escape first ball, and he made Pakistan pay by reaching 40 not out at the close, with McCullum on 26.

The latter also had a life, this time from TV official Koertzen, who over-ruled a decision to give McCullum out lbw to Asif, saying the batsman was struck outside the line of off stump.

Asif was the pick of the bowlers with three for 76 off 24 overs, while Aamer returned figures of two for 62 from 19.

New Zealand are officially the away team in the three-match series after refusing to tour Pakistan over security concerns.