Taylor eclipsed his previous-highest test score of 154 not out and was the first 200 by a New Zealand in tests since Brendon McCullum's against India in 2010. It was McCullum who teamed with Taylor on Wednesday in the central partnership of the innings 195 for the fourth wicket.
McCullum was out for 113 in the fifth over of the day but Taylor led a series of productive partnerships until the declaration came after tea.
He put on 84 for the sixth wicket with B.J. Watling (41), 76 for the eighth wicket with Ish Sodhi (35) and 61 for the ninth wicket with Neil Wagner (37).
Wagner was then part of a New Zealand attack which bowled with more purpose than the West Indies, exploiting what little they could get out of a batsman-friendly pitch.
The partnership between Taylor and McCullum was of broader importance than this match alone.
The pair was at the center of a rift in the national team when McCullum was appointed to the national captaincy at Taylor's expense.
The relationship between them had seemed cool in the ensuing 12 months and McCullum's task to win over fans was stymied by a run of nine tests without a victory since his promotion. McCullum had managed only 85 runs in seven innings in four previous tests and had not scored a test century in three years.
He answered that with the bat by compiling his seventh test century, from only 101 balls, which led New Zealand to 367-3 after day one.
Importantly, the co-operation with Taylor and the warmth with which each celebrated the other's milestones finally cast aside worries of any lingering acrimony.
While McCullum and Taylor had added 173 runs in the last two hours yesterday, the hosts managed only 78-2 in the first session. AP
