Kane Williamson was well supported by tall right-hander Peter Fulton (73) as Ross Taylor (28) and skipper Brendon McCullum (21) failed to cash in on good starts.

Prior scored an unbeaten century and, together with perennial No. 11 Panesar, survived the last 3.3 overs on the final day with England nine down to save the match, leaving the tourists 315-9 at stumps and New Zealand one wicket away from victory.

Fulton is the second New Zealand opener after Glenn Turner to post a hundred in each innings of a Test match.

England went to stumps on Monday at 90-4 with Ian Bell 8 not out after New Zealand declared their second innings at 241-6 and gave England the almost impossible task of scoring a world record 481 to win the match.

While New Zealand had reason to feel satisfied with their bowling, it was a disappointing end to the innings after resuming the day at 250 for one. At stumps on the second day, England were 50 for two, 393 runs in arrears after dismissing New Zealand for 443 soon after tea.

On a boring day for some, Peter Fulton was 'full' of a 'ton' while Kane Williamson ably supported him to take the hosts to 250/1 after Day 1.

Fulton made his test debut in 2006 and played 10 tests, with a highest score of 75 and an average of 20, before losing his place in New Zealand's revolving door for test openers. He won a recall for this series, four years after his last test, and cemented his place Friday with an innings of technique and character.

Broad destroyed New Zealand's first innings with six for 51, his seventh five-wicket haul in 54 Tests, as New Zealand collapsed to 254 all out in reply to England's first innings 465.

The 23-year-old Rutherford batted for five hours and 40 minutes, hit 22 fours and three sixes in an outstanding debut innings.

Kiwi opener Rutherford made 77 in his first Test innings and Peter Fulton was 46 not out as New Zealand closed within 36 runs of England's total. Earlier left-arm spinner Bruce Martin scalped 4 wickets.