New Zealand skipper Tom Latham smashed 252 before Trent Boult and Tim Southee wrecked Bangladesh with the ball to put the hosts on course for a series-levelling victory on day two of the second and final Test in Christchurch on Monday.

The last wicket fell in the final over of the day in Christchurch as the Bangladesh innings ended inside a session and a half for 126 runs, to leave them 395 in arrears.

New Zealand had made batting look easy after being sent in on a green wicket but the tourists lost their first four wickets for only 11 runs inside seven overs and were then 27 for five before Yasir and Nurul put together a 60-run partnership.

"Of course, we're disappointed," Bangladesh batting coach Ashwell Prince said.

"If we can learn something from the Kiwis batting on day one it was that they left a lot more balls outside the off stump.

"The Kiwis got it swinging as well today and bowled really well and made it tough for our guys."