Tim McIntosh described scoring his first Test century as "a really good feeling" after helping the Black Caps to 371.
But the 29-year-old admitted the home side were a little disappointed not to have built a bigger lead than the 64 runs they managed after he and Jesse Ryder (57) put on 100 runs for the fourth wicket on day three at McLean Park.
That followed his 118-run stand with number three batsman Daniel Flynn the previous day which helped the Black Caps to their overnight score of 145 for two.
"We're a little bit disappointed not to kick on as much as we'd like with the bat. We probably feel were a little bit short in runs there," he said.
But McIntosh said reducing the West Indies to 62 for two by the close, with Sewnarine Chattergoon (25) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (one) back in the pavilion, had made up for it.
"Certainly to take the two wickets in the evening keeps us in a really good position," he added.
Far more expansive
After reaching his maiden Test fifty in circumspect fashion (181 balls) the previous day, McIntosh was far more expansive in reaching his first hundred in only his second Test, taking just 104 balls to move from 51 to 103 after resuming the day on 62.
"It was nice to score some runs a bit freer," he said. "It was a nice feeling to put a bit more momentum into my innings and it started to click better.
"I knew if I stuck it out and grafted a bit (early on) I would be better for it later in the innings. Things seemed to go my way after that."
A couple of loose deliveries in one Jerome Taylor helped McIntosh reach the milestone.
"It was a really good feeling. At that stage I was seeing it well and I'd got a bit of momentum going and I was scoring some runs at a reasonable rate. Things just seemed to tick over nicely.
"I happened to get a few loose balls and I managed to get those through. I was just doing my job, batting time, and it all clicked."
Fidel Edwards was the hero for the West Indies, taking seven for 87 and mopping up the New Zealand tail as their innings faltered after McIntosh's departure.
"I thought McIntosh batted pretty well and patiently. I think he was the one that took the game away from us very early on but when he got out the wickets started falling so it was a bonus for us," Edwards told Radio Sport.
Edwards was delighted with his career best figures and put his success down to two things.
"I just tried to be as aggressive as possible and tried to bowl wicket to wicket," he explained.
"It was pretty much my day today and I took full use of it. They are my best figures but hopefully I can push on and get some more wickets."
Edwards was confident the West Indies could push on for the win and take the series 1-0 which will see them retain seventh spot in the Test rankings.
"It's still a good position for us," he said. "Hopefully if Chris (Gayle) can go on and get a big score and the rest of the batters can push on as well it should be a game for us to win."
