Pakistan's batsmen crumbled as Tim Southee helped New Zealand take control on day two of the second Test on Saturday.

Southee claimed three quick-fire wickets to stun Pakistan and leave the world's second-ranked Test nation reeling on 76-5 at stumps in Hamilton, still trailing by 195 runs at Seddon Park.

After bowling out New Zealand for 271 shortly after tea, Pakistan were unable to prevent a Southee onslaught as the Kiwi paceman struck twice in the fifth over, dismissing openers Sami Aslam (5) and Azhar Ali (1).

Southee was at again not long after, when Younis Khan (2) played a loose shot to wicketkeeper BJ Watling with the tourists 12-3 and in deep trouble in their attempt to respond from the first-Test loss.

Asad Shafiq (23) and Babar Azam (34 not out) came to the crease and provided some welcome relief, putting on a 39-run fourth-wicket stand.

But just as Pakistan weathered the storm, Neil Wagner put New Zealand back in the box seat with back-to-back wickets, sending Shafiq and Mohammad Rizwan (0) back to the pavilion, though Sarfraz Ahmed (9 not out) managed to thwart his hat-trick ball.

Earlier in the day, Sohail Khan finished with a four-wicket haul (4-99) to end New Zealand's first innings, though the unbeaten Watling (49) was a steadying hand for the hosts.

Resuming on 77-2, the Black Caps looked comfortable with Ross Taylor scoring over a run a ball as he put on a 50-run stand with Jeet Raval.

Taylor, however, was sent back to the pavilion in the fifth over of the day, edging through to gloveman Sarfraz off Sohail for 37.

Raval added 20 runs to his overnight score, bringing up his half-century, before nicking Imran Khan's (3-52) delivery through to Rizwan at first slip as he departed for 55 with the Kiwis 113-4.

Henry Nicholls (13) only lasted three overs, falling victim to Wahab Riaz (1-57), while a successful review from the Pakistanis saw Colin de Grandhomme's (37) hard work come undone after he drove loosely to edge Imran to Sarfraz, with the on-field decision overturned.

That brought Watling to the crease and he anchored the innings as Mitchell Santner (16) and Southee (29) added some quick and much-needed runs before Sohail struck to leave New Zealand 266-8 at tea.

Watling continued to hold firm but Pakistan blitzed the hosts early into the final session, Mohammad Amir (2-59) and Imran claiming the final two wickets.