Tom Latham was closing in on a double century as New Zealand reached 349 for one at stumps to defy Hagley Oval's grim reputation for batters on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Sunday.

The New Zealand captain was unbeaten on 186 with Devon Conway on 99 as the Black Caps scored at will on a ground reputed to be a bowler's paradise on day one.

New Zealand, desperate for a win to save the series after losing the first Test, have defied the green surface and been in control ever since they lost the toss and were sent into bat.

Latham and Conway put on an unbroken 201 for the second wicket after Latham and Will Young, who made 54, produced a 148-run opening stand.

Latham had been working on his timing since a disappointing first Test, where he scored one and 14, and batting coach Luke Ronchi said the progress was obvious.

"It was amazing," Ronchi said.

"There's obviously going to be times on a green surface when you're going to get a bit of luck but you've also to keep batting and make the most of it. Some of his (Latham's) drives and the sounds off his bat were awesome."

Hagley Oval requires bowlers to maintain a good line and length to deliver wickets on its verdant surface, and Bangladesh bowling coach Ottis Gibson said they were guilty of straying too often.

"I don't think it's done as much as expected but at the same time I don't want to make any excuses for us. I don't think we bowled as well as we can," Gibson said.

"We didn't bowl enough good balls to create the sort of pressure that we created last week. When we got the length to full there was not a lot of seam movement and the New Zealand batters were able to capitalise."