Kane Williamson scored a 38th half-century as New Zealand took charge on the second day of the third Test by dismissing England for 143 and making 136/3 at Sunday's close of play for an overall lead of 340.
England have already secured series honours after big wins in Christchurch and Wellington but were on the back foot from the very start of a hot day at Hamilton's Seddon Park as they tried to finish off New Zealand's first innings.
Spinner Mitchell Santner (76) and seamer Will O'Rourke resisted for more than an hour to add 32 runs to the overnight tally for the last wicket, taking New Zealand to a healthy 347 all out.
The pair then teamed up with Matt Henry to rip through England's batting order in a session and a half before tea to give the hosts a first-innings lead of 204.
The Black Caps batters took over for the final session with skipper Tom Latham chopping on after making 19 and his opening partner Will Young scoring 60 from 85 balls before pulling a Ben Stokes delivery to Jacob Bethell at midwicket.
O'Rourke returned to the crease as nightwatchman but edged behind off Stokes for a duck, leaving Rachin Ravindra to take New Zealand to stumps on two not out in the company of Williamson, who was unbeaten on 50.
New Zealand are desperate for a consolation victory to send Tim Southee out a winner on his home ground in his final Test but it was the younger quicks who will assume the mantle he has worn for 16 years who did the early damage on Sunday.
O'Rourke (3/33) stepped up after lunch with two wickets in two balls, having Bethell caught at point for 12 before danger man Harry Brook chopped on for a golden duck.
Pope saw off the hat-trick ball but Joe Root had no such luck when an O'Rourke delivery reared up into his face and the batsman cut it to Young at gully to depart for 32 with England having lost three wickets for five runs.
Pope and Stokes put on 52 for the sixth wicket to rescue England from 82-5 but spinner Santner (3/7) came on for the first time and had the wicketkeeper caught in the slips for 24 with his fifth delivery.
The left-armer also sent back the England captain lbw for 27 in his next over before he and Henry tag-teamed to remove Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts cheaply as the England tail folded.
