A 218-run stand for the sixth wicket between Peter Trego and Kruger van Wyk has Auckland on the back foot against Central Districts in Napier.
With the two teams languishing in the bottom places on the Plunket Shield ladder, the onus is on both sides to force a result and avoid falling further off the pace.
Auckland appeared in the ascendancy early, with a pair of wickets from Mitchell McClenaghan helping to reduce the hosts to 122-5, before Englishman Trego stroked 141 from 147 balls, receiving able assistance from van Wyk (83). CD closed the day on 382-7, with both sides having earned three bonus points but Auckland behind on the cards.