West Indies 92-2 after being asked to bat in second New Zealand Test
Opener John Campbell was on 44 not out from 84 balls with six fours at the break with Shai Hope on eight.
New Zealand skipper Tom Latham followed a 17-match trend of the captain winning the toss in Wellington deciding to field, despite the Basin Reserve wicket looking drier and less green than usual.
New Zealand failed to take a wicket in the first hour as Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes looked lethargic in their opening spells after toiling for a combined 76 overs in the second innings of the drawn first Test four days ago.
The West Indies openers, Brandon King and Campbell, had moved the score on to 66 when Blair Tickner got the breakthrough in the 17th over, nipping one back to trap King lbw for 33. King faced 55 balls and hit five fours.
It soon became 66-2 when Kavem Hodge fell without scoring in Tickner's next over, also lbw from a similar delivery but Campbell and Hope ensured no further alarms for the visitors before lunch.
Injury-depleted New Zealand named two debutants in their side, with wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay and seamer Michael Rae replacing regular gloveman Tom Blundell and Matt Henry.
The West Indies were also forced into changes after Tagenarine Chanderpaul was injured in training the day before the match, replaced by King at the top of the order.
Hodge came in for Alick Athanaze and fast-bowler Anderson Phillip replaced Johann Layne.
The first Test in Christchurch was drawn and the third and final Test begins on December 18 in Mount Maunganui.