Nicholls made an unbeaten 117 to take Kiwis from 78/3 to 294/6 by the close of play.
Walking in to bat with the Kiwis struggling at 78/3 after being put in on a green track in Wellington upon losing the toss, Nicholls made an unbeaten hundred and controlled one end to allow the home team to finish with 294/6 by the close of play.
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The left-hander returned to the shed 117 not out, having struck an important sixth Test hundred for his country.
Nicholls found decent support in the middle-order from BJ Watling (30) and then all-rounder Daryl Mitchell (42).
Earlier on, the Kiwis did feel the absence of their best batter Kane Williamson as the visitors went past their top-order quite cheaply.
Stand-in captain Tom Latham (27) and fellow-opener Tom Blundell (14) fell early and while Will Young (43) got a start, the newcomer couldn't sadly capitalise on it from the home team's perspective.
Shannon Gabriel (3/57), Chemar Holder (2/65) and Alzarri Joseph (1/65) were among the wickets but the Calypso Kings will be disappointed not have built further inroads after the start they got, allowing Nicholls & co to forge a fantastic recovery.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 294/6 in 84 overs (Henry Nicholls 117*, Will Young 43; Shannon Gabriel 3/57, Chemar Holder 2/65) versus West Indies on Day 1 of the 2nd Test