Chanderpaul was unbeaten on 51

After he passed three figures, from 212 balls, he went on the offensive, taking a heavy toll on New Zealand's bowlers.

At one point he hit consecutive balls from Ian Butler and Shane Bond for 4, 4, 4, 4, 1, 6, 1.

He was dropped twice, once just before tea and again on 199, but the 22-year-old eventually fell when he edged the impressive Shane Bond behind six overs from the close.

Earlier in the day Ramnaresh Sarwan faced 108 balls for 39 before being run out when Chris Harris's return to Daniel Vettori saw him short of his crease.

Brian Lara made 48 before being caught behind off Scott Styris, while captain Carl Hooper fell lbw to Bond for just 17.

Gayle added 143 for the fifth wicket with Shivnarine Chanderpaul who was unbeaten on 51 at the close with wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs on two.

Bond was the pick of the bowlers on the baking hot day and ended with three for 88.

West Indies: C H Gayle, W W Hinds, R R Sarwan, B C Lara, C L Hooper (Capt), S Chanderpaul, R D Jacobs (Wkt), M V Nagamootoo, P T Collins, A Sanford, C E Cuffy.

New Zealand: M H Richardson, L Vincent, S P Fleming (Capt), C Z Harris, N J Astle, C D McMillan, S B Styris, R G Hart (Wkt), D L Vettori, S E Bond, I G Butler.