More demanding tests await for New Zealand's top order. Australia host New Zealand at their "banker" ground, the Gabba in Brisbane, and at Hobart in the first two weeks of next month for starters.
Zimbabwe make a short trip to New Zealand in January before South Africa pitch up for three of each - T20, ODI and tests - to round off the summer.
Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and a hugely promising 18-year-old Pat Cummins await across the Tasman; Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will be here in February.
The best preparation Guptill could have had, he got yesterday. Batsmen can only play the bowling they're presented with, and he worked hard to grasp his chance.
McCullum and Williamson's wickets were unnecessarily gifted away, although Williamson looked good and confident before his strange run out when his foot seemed to jam just a centimetre or two short of safety on a throw returned to the stumps from the bowler.
This is Guptill's 16th test since his March 2009 debut against India.
His only previous century, 189, came against Bangladesh in Hamilton 20 months ago.
Last January there were two half centuries in four innings against Pakistan, which hinted at an improving situation for the Aucklander.
Now the 25-year-old has demonstrated he has the ability to stand his ground.
He had a couple of curly moments early on yesterday, but kicked on.
His coach, John Wright, an opener of particularly adhesive qualities during his long New Zealand career, might have grumbled at his not being there at stumps, but he will also have generally liked what he saw.
The century took Guptill's test average up to 37.6, approaching that mark which indicates a good test batsman.
"I'm just riding the wave as it goes," Guptill said. "They bowled really well to us today.
"It was a bit of a relief, really. It's been a year-and-a-half since my last test hundred. It's nice to be in the middle and scoring runs. It doesn't happen every day so when you are out there you have to try and make the most of it."
Guptill was frustrated at getting out before being able to push on to something approaching the size of his Bangladesh ton.
"Just to get there and get out the way I did is pretty disappointing," he said.
* Opener Tamim Iqbal hit an unbeaten 82 to help Bangladesh reach 164 for three at stumps on the penultimate day of their second test against the West Indies in Mirpur.
The West Indies had set their hosts an improbable 508 to win, after declaring their second innings at 383 for five, when Darren Bravo was dismissed for 195, his maiden test century.
