New Zealand avoided any late snags to beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Christchurch and take a 1-0 lead in their two-Test series.

The hosts knocked off the required 105 runs soon after tea on the fourth day, reaching 2-107 off 30.4 overs, carried effortlessly across the line by unbeaten pair Ross Taylor (39) and Kane Williamson (31).

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Tom Latham fell for 17 while the Test credentials of fellow-opener Hamish Rutherford will continue to be questioned after he spooned a short ball to gully for 10.

Rutherford’s highest score in the 26 innings since his debut century against England is 62, the only time he has passed 50.

It shouldn’t detract from a Test New Zealand dominated in the wake of captain Brendon McCullum’s brutal 195 on Boxing Day.

It was a colourful christening for New Zealand’s eighth Test venue, the first Test in Christchurch for eight years.

After reaching 441, his team blasted Sri Lanka out for 138 but had more difficulty ending their follow-on innings at 407 by lunch on Monday.

Tim Southee (4-91) effectively dashed any hopes of a late rearguard from Sri Lanka, who resumed at 5-293.

The paceman nicked out three batsmen with the ball in an irresistible spell and removed the last two with catches.

Last pair Shaminda Eranga (45 not out) and Suranga Lakmal (16) combined for a free-wheeling 59 as the tourists added 114 off 29 in the morning session.

The key wicket was that of captain Angelo Mathews (66), who added 13 before his snicked hook gave wicketkeeper BJ Watling his fourth catch of the innings.

Trent Boult finished with 4-100, giving him seven scalps for the Test, while offspinner Mark Craig (1-83) finally snared a wicket in his first home Test.

The second Test starts in Wellington on Saturday.