New Zealand plan on batting as long as they can to build a big lead and play India out of the first Test, captain Stephen Fleming said on Thursday.

The home side finished the first day in a dominant position after bundling India out for 161 and then making a solid 53 for one when bad light stopped play eight overs early with Mark Richardson on 27 and Fleming on 11.

Fleming had the perfect start to the day when he won the toss and asked his Indian opposite number Sourav Ganguly to bat on the hard, bouncy green-tinged Basin Reserve wicket.

"That was a good day for us," Fleming said. "The ball was moving around and there was plenty of bounce and we made inroads early on."

Fleming was disappointed that India reached 161, saying some poor catching behind the wicket let the touring side off.

"We were lucky we weren't punished too badly today, but our slip catching has got to improve and it will," he said.

One player who did not offer a chance was the mainstay of the India innings, Rahul Dravid. After making nought and one in the tour match against Central Districts, there was a feeling the batsman with a Test average of 54.27 would make amends.

"Rahul Dravid batted very well and dug in well," Fleming said.

"He was the difference between them having a real disaster of an innings and getting up to 160. Dravid gave us a good lesson on how to bat on a pitch that is helpful for the bowlers like this one is."

Dravid was given little help from the other star-studded Indian batsmen.

Openers Virender Sehwag and Sanjay Bangar both went before the score was in double figures and Sachin Tendulkar shouldered arms to debutant Jacob Oram and was out leg before for eight.

Ganguly was the most irresponsible. Dropped twice in the slips -- by Fleming then Nathan Astle -- the Indian captain dabbled again outside the off-stump on the last ball of the morning from Shane Bond.

He was caught by Lou Vincent and India went to the break 51 for four.

Day 1 report: