Tim Southee got the first breakthrough for the visitors after Graeme Cremer opted to bat. Brian Chari, who kicked off the game with an edge past the vacant gully region for a four, fell of the second delivery attempting a similar shot.
Zimbabwe's most-capped player, Hamilton Masakadza (15) and Chamu Chibhabha (15), joined hands to rebuild the innings with a brief second-wicket stand. The hosts' joy was short-lived though, as Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner picked up the next three wickets for the addition for a solitary run.
Into the third over of his spell, Wagner broke the 31-run partnership as he trapped Chibhabha with a series of short deliveries. The Zimbabwean opener attempted a pull but couldn't get the ball past Tom Latham in the midwicket region.
In the next over, Santner sent back the other set batsman to derail Zimbabwe's recovery. Masakadza, who started with caution, gifted his wicket away with an easy return catch for the bowler who made no mistake.
The home team had added barely one more run to their total before Sean Williams was handed a rough decision by Paul Reiffel. A visibly disappointed Williams walked back in disbelief after Ish Sodhi caught the edge that looped off his helmet.
Sikandar Raza and Craig Ervine then added 13 for the fifth-wicket partnership to deny New Zealand any further success in the morning session.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 49 for 4 (Neil Wagner 2-8) vs New Zealand.
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