New Zealand's plans to exploit Australia's frailties on a made-to-order green top spectacularly backfired in a frenetic start to the trans-Tasman series dominated by Steve Smith's men.

Australia made a powerful statement with bat and ball on Friday in their first Test on foreign soil since the Ashes. It's still early days but they appear to have heeded the lessons from last year's defeat.

Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle, who keeps proving his critics wrong, engineered a startling Black Caps batting collapse that subdued the partisan crowd, many of whom had been wanting to see Brendon McCullum mark his 100th Test with a ton.

Instead, it was his opposing number Smith and Usman Khawaja who piled on the runs on a day where 13 wickets tumbled.

It should have been 14 had Richard Illingworth not erred in calling a no-ball on a delivery from Doug Bracewell which rattled the top of Adam Voges' off stump.

For Smith, who survived a chance on 18 on his way to 71, it was a welcome return among the runs after a lean fortnight facing the white ball and just reward for the extensive hours he has poured into his game this week.

Khawaja's half-century was equally impressive, even considering his close call on 34. Getting runs on the flat tracks of home is one thing, but it's much harder to prosper on a deck where the odds are stacked against the batsmen.

To fully appreciate the value of Smith's and Khawaja's innings, consider that the Basin Reserve has become a day-one graveyard for batsmen. The past three Tests here have now produced 40 wickets on the first day. Australian fans should not get too cocky yet. One match finished in a draw while the other completed Test was won by the team batting first.

That said there's no amount of racehorses that McCullum's thoroughbred syndication company could give Smith, a racing enthusiast, for the Australian captain to trade places in this game.

The Australians, who finished the first day on 3/147, are well on the way to passing New Zealand's first innings total of 183. An imposing lead looms should the recent trend of batting becoming easier the deeper the game continues.

But they had their moments, stumbling to 2/5 after losing Joe Burns and David Warner cheaply. Burns was unfortunate to faintly glove one down leg side while Warner instantly rued his rush of blood after flashing at a wide one.

"Winning the big moments" is a widely used expression in Australian cricket though seldom do they come before a ball has been bowled - one exception being the ill-fated game of touch rugby that claimed Glenn McGrath's ankle in the 2005 Ashes.

This time it came at the toss when Smith called correctly and had no hesitation in sending the Kiwis in. This was not plan A for the Black Caps, particularly after coach Mike Hesson had stated his desire for lively decks at home.

If plan B was to bat well, then that was foiled by Hazlewood and Siddle, who captured four and three wickets respectively. But Jackson Bird struggled in his comeback Test, pounded for 52 runs from 10 overs.

Hazlewood and Siddle claimed five wickets in the first hour - all caught behind the wicket and none more spectacularly than the one-handed screamer by Peter Nevill that claimed the prized scalp of batting wonder Kane Williamson.

Normally technically sound, Williamson met his demise playing well in front of his body and was out driving for the third time in four innings against Australia.

Since they decided after the Perth Test to bore him out, Williamson has averaged only 19 in six innings against the Australians, suggesting their tactic is proving to be his Kryptonite.

That Smith was later able to successfully do what Williamson could not - lead his team out of trouble - will not go unnoticed.