By Mark Geenty of NZPA

Wellington, March 23 NZPA - In the space of 24 hours, the New Zealand cricket dressing room was transformed as the gales howled outside at the Basin Reserve.

From 187 for five, the efforts of Brendon McCullum, with 94 not out, Daniel Vettori, 77, and Daryl Tuffey, 23 not out, lifted the gloom and had the hosts back in the game at 369 for six at stumps on the fourth day of the first test against Australia.

Leading by just 67 overall, it was left to McCullum and Tuffey, having added an unbroken 60 for the seventh wicket, to continue the fight today.

But regardless of the result, yesterday's efforts provided a much-needed boost to the under-fire test side as Vettori and McCullum added 126, a New Zealand sixth wicket record against Australia.

"There's been a few dismissals in similar sort of fashion and we've got some work to do before the next test," opener Tim McIntosh said.

"There was a bit of an example shown by the way Dan (Vettori) and Baz (McCullum) batted, there was some really good fighting qualities coming through and that's what we need to continue."

McIntosh led the way on day three with his 83 in 272 minutes as New Zealand followed on in their second innings 302 behind Australia's first innings of 459 for five declared.

It still looked bleak for the hosts yesterday morning, matching the grey skies and 130kmh-plus winds at the Basin Reserve which saw only a sparse crowd show up.

"In a way (the wind) is probably of benefit to the batting side more than the bowling, having to run into it, although Baz said he had a bit of a mission running a two at one stage when he nearly got blown over," McIntosh said.

"He (McCullum) is always desperate for runs like we all are and he's playing a really mature innings, a good gutsy one at that."

The second and final test starts in Hamilton on Saturday and if New Zealand snatched a draw here then changes would be unlikely, perhaps apart from dropping a bowler for an extra batting option after the top-order's woes here.

Australia, meanwhile, were wondering how it came to this after they had New Zealand on the ropes.

Offspinner Nathan Hauritz, who carried the attack yesterday in taking three for 119 off 49 overs, said the pacemen Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris were starting to feel the effects after 183 overs in back-to-back New Zealand innings.

"Full credit goes to both of them (Vettori and McCullum), they batted very well. Brendon's still in there and they put the pressure back on us, a couple of times we were a little undisciplined with our lines but that happens with a big partnership," Hauritz said.

"We have got to come out (on day five) and stay patient."