Simplicity key to Josh Hazlewood haul

Josh Hazlewood says he reaped the rewards of taking a simple approach on the first day of Australia's first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve.

Hazlewood (4-42) and Peter Siddle (3-37) scythed through the Black Caps' attack, taking five wickets in the first session.

One of the 25-year-old's scalps was Brendon McCullum, spoiling the New Zealand captain's 100th Test appearance by removing him for a duck as the hosts were all out for 183.

Australia responded by reaching 147-3 at the close of play in Wellington, though they would have lost Adam Voges in the final over of the day had umpire Richard Illingworth not incorrectly ruled a no-ball as he was bowled by Doug Bracewell.

Hazlewood claimed his method was about gaining maximum benefit from a green-tinged wicket, but he expects conditions improve for the batsmen going forward.

"Today was a great example of just putting the ball in the right areas and letting the wicket do the work," he said.

"I didn't think there was a great deal of swing but there was obviously a little bit of seam movement throughout the whole innings just about.

"I think while the ball is new at any stage it's going to do a little bit. Once the shine and the hardness of the ball is gone it's quite a good wicket for batting, it didn't turn much and once our ball got older it didn't seam much.

"So I think it [the pitch] is going to hold together pretty well. The next 10 wickets that we need will be quite tough to get."