Alastair Cook closed in on a 25th Test century after deciding not to enforce the follow-on as England, looking to ensure a series victory over New Zealand, built a substantial lead in the second and final Test on Sunday.
England were 180 ahead after the first innings and increased that to 296 in progressing to 116 for one at the close of the third day at Headingley.
Cook was unbeaten on 88 and Jonathan Trott a snail-like 11 from 69 balls. England's one blot was another failure by out-of form opener Nick Compton who could make a painstaking seven only.
Earlier, off-spinner Graeme Swann took four wickets, including three in seven balls, and paceman Steven Finn three as New Zealand's batting frailties were once again exposed.
One week after being skittled for 68 to lose the first Test by 170 runs at Lord’s, the tourists collapsed spectacularly again to be bowled out for 174 in replying to England's 354. Brittle New Zealand were dismissed in little over 1-1/2 sessions, their score flattered by a belligerent counter-attack from last pair Neil Wagner (27) and Trent Boult (24 not out) who plundered 52 quickfire runs.
From 55 without loss, New Zealand slumped to 122 for nine. Swann, exacting turn and bounce, claimed figures of four for 42 after barely turning over his arm at Lord's and Finn three for 36 with opener Peter Fulton top-scoring with 28.
They lost eight wickets in a one-sided afternoon session but instead of going for the jugular, England captain Cook opted to bat again.
ENGLAND (I Innings, O/n: 337/7):
Prior c Taylor b Southee 39
Swann (not out) 26
Finn b Boult 6
Anderson c&b Boult 0
Extras (B-9, LB-7, W-5, NB-1) 22
Total (all out, 99 overs) 354
Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-67, 3-67, 4-146, 5-270, 6-279, 7-286, 8-345, 9-354.
Bowling: Boult 22-4-57-5, Southee 26-6-76-2, Wagner 23-4-73-1, Bracewell 19-3-83-1, Williamson 9-0-49-1.
NEW ZEALAND (I Innings):
Fulton c&b Finn 28
Rutherford c Bell b Finn 27
Williamson lbw Swann 13
Taylor b Finn 6
Brownlie b Swann 2
Guptill b Swann 1
McCullum c Prior b Broad 20
Southee lbw Broad 19
Bracewell c Bell b Swann 1
Wagner b Anderson 27
Boult (not out) 24
Extras (LB-5, W-1) 6
Total (all out, 43.4 overs) 174
Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-62, 3-72, 4-79, 5-81, 6-82, 7-119, 8-122, 9-122.
Bowling: Anderson 7.4-2-34-1, Broad 15-2-57-2, Finn 12-3-36-3, Swann 9-1-42-4.
ENGLAND (II Innings):
Cook (not out) 88
Compton c Rutherford b W’mson 7
Trott (not out) 11
Extras (B-8, LB-1, W-1) 10
Total (for 1 wkt, 41 overs) 116
Fall of wicket: 1-72.
Bowling: Trent Boult 2-1-2-0, Tim Southee 9-3-30-0, Wagner 9-2-31-0, Williamson 15-4-32-1, Bracewell 6-3-12-0.