Voges now has a better career average than Bradman and surpassed Tendulkar's 12-year-old record for most runs between dismissals
Adam Voges continued to capitalise on an early reprieve by scoring his fifth test century as Australia eased to 463 for six by the close of the second day's play of the first match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve on Saturday
Voges was unbeaten on 176 at stumps with Peter Siddle on 29 as the Australians stretched their advantage to 280 runs, snuffing out any hope New Zealand had of claiming victory in captain Brendon McCullum's 100th test.
The 36-year-old Voges has made the most of a lifeline when he was bowled by Doug Bracewell for seven with two deliveries remaining on Friday, only for umpire Richard Illingworth to signal a no-ball.
Television replays showed the delivery was legal but because the infraction had been called on the field, New Zealand were unable to ask for a review.
Voges has now scored 500 consecutive runs without being dismissed and now averages more than 100 from 19 innings.
The Western Australian not only bettered Bradman's batting average, he broke the 12-year-old record of India's Sachin Tendulkar, who posted 497 consecutive runs – scores of 241no, 60no, 194no and 2 – from January to April 2004.
Voges was involved in partnerships of 168 with Usman Khawaja (140) and 96 with wicketkeeper Peter Nevill (32) to prevent New Zealand from gaining any momentum on a tough day for the hosts.
New Zealand briefly appeared to be in position to expose the Australian tail during the middle session when Trent Boult took two wickets, including Khawaja's, in three deliveries but Voges calmly ensured that the visitors maintained their dominance.
The late-blooming Voges, who was 35 when he made his debut against West Indies last June, has scored 1,204 runs in a bountiful test career to date, boasting a high score of 269 not out and an average of 100.33.
As Australia resumed on 147-3 in response to New Zealand's 183 all out, the only excitement for locals at a sold-out Basin Reserve came during that eventful Boult over in the middle session.
Boult trapped Khawaja in front with the second new ball, then the left-hander had a big appeal for lbw against Mitchell Marsh turned down on the next delivery.
The review showed Marsh had got a thin inside edge but he would not last much longer, lofting the next ball back towards Boult, who stuck out his right hand on the follow through to snare an impressive catch.
Khawaja had earlier completed a fourth test century in his past six innings.
While Australia have batted themselves into a position they are unlikely to lose from, New Zealand's past record at the Basin Reserve should provide local fans with some hope.
In their last two matches at the Wellington ground, they conceded large first innings leads before scoring 680-8 to save a test against India two years ago and 524-5 to set up a win last year against Sri Lanka.
The second test of the two-match series is in Christchurch from Feb. 20-24.
