Zimbabwe, beaten inside two days in the first Test, had been reeling at 75 for six at lunch after New Zealand paceman Shane Bond had destroyed the top order.

Taibu, the wicketkeeper-captain, had made only a single at lunch but in the afternoon he finally gave the home supporters some reason to be cheerful.

First he put on 49 for the seventh wicket with debutant Keith Dabengwa who contributed a useful 17 before being bowled playing down the wrong line to Chris Martin.

That brought Blessing Mahwire to the crease and he also provided some sterling support for Taibu.

At tea, Taibu had made 66 while Mahwire had 26 in a stand worth 65 with the score moving on to 188 for seven.

New Zealand picked up the final three wickets relatively quickly as Zimbabwe were balled out 231. Taibu top-scoring with 76, while NZ paceman finished with figures of 6 for 51.