One area that might need work is keeping up to spinners, especially on a West Indies tour where pitches are expected to turn and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and off-spinner Mark Craig could both feature in the starting XI.
Watling has the most catches (54) of any international keeper without a stumping (Australia's Wayne Phillips (1984-86) is second with no stumpings and 43 catches in 18 tests). Regardless, Watling is constructing a formidable record.
There's still pressure to sustain his performances following Luke Ronchi's selection for the West Indies tour as back-up but, conversely, Watling is challenging Ronchi in the ODI ranks after a Ford Trophy campaign with Northern Districts when he scored 345 runs at an average of 69 and strike rate of 88. Watling has also been singled out for leadership honours, despite a career captaincy record of just two matches in charge for Northern Districts last summer.
He will be skipper for New Zealand A's tour to England in July and August when they will play nine 50-over matches and two three-dayers against county sides, the England Lions, Sri Lanka A and Scotland.
The 28-year-old doesn't fit the yappy keeper cliche but hopes to improve in this area nonetheless.
"I enjoy trying to lead from behind the stumps but I haven't done a lot of captaincy," he said. "[Talking more] is not something I'm specifically aiming towards but I will be chucking a few suggestions out there, communicating better with the bowling group and generally trying to think more about how to get batsmen out."
Previously he'd fitted more of a just-a-drummer-in-the-band role, as exemplified by former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith's autobiography title.
"I haven't had the opportunity to lead but I've never pushed for it. I've always just tried to fit with the make-up of the team. I filled in for Flynny [Daniel Flynn] this season because, age-wise, I'm probably getting on a bit so maybe I'm a bit wiser."
If he could ape anyone's captaincy style, Watling would opt for fellow keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni or past New Zealand gloveman McCullum.
"Dhoni's been a great captain for India. He comes up with some good ideas and allows ebbs and flows of defensiveness and aggression. He's good at noting the little things required to win.
"Brendon leads by example. He always chases full tilt and dives into advertising hoardings. As a leader you've got to turn up every day with the same attitude and mood to keep everyone going.
"The true gauge is on bad days when you have to pick the team up and get the best out of people. You've got to get a read on personalities and their roles in the team. It's really just man-management. You might think you're a good leader but, ultimately, other players judge that."
Tour itinerary
New Zealand's tour to the West Indies (NZ times)
• May 30-31 (3am): Jamaica Selection vs NZ, Jamaica
• June 3-5 (3am): Jamaica Selection vs NZ, Jamaica
• June 9-13 (3am): West Indies vs NZ, first test, Jamaica
• June 17-21 (2am): West Indies vs NZ, second test, Trinidad
• June 27-July 1 (2am): West Indies vs NZ, third test, Guyana
• July 6 (6am): West Indies vs NZ, T20, Dominica
• July 7 (6am): West Indies vs NZ, T20, Dominica
