New Zealand handed Australia its first defeats of the summer during the Twenty20 and the one-day series.
But Daniel Vettori's side will have its work cut out if it is to manage a similar achievement in the two-Test series, which begins at the Basin Reserve on Friday.
Australia hasn't lost a Test to its trans-Tasman rival in 17 years.
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Although the attention in the lead-up to the first Test has focussed on Michael Clarke's troubled personal life, Ricky Ponting's men are unlikely to be distracted.
The playing conditions are expected to aid the fast-bowlers, adding to the challenges New Zealand's inexperienced batting line-up faces.
Knowing the enormity of the task ahead of them, the home team's batsmen have worked with Martin Crowe in the days leading to the Test.
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Two late bloomers — both bowlers — are in line for their Test debuts.
New Zealand fast-bowler Brent Arnel, 31, is part of Vettori's plans because of the conditions, while Australian fast-bowler Ryan Harris, 30, impressed Ponting in the limited-overs series with his ability to swing the new ball.
The teams (from):
New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (capt.), Tim McIntosh, B.J. Watling, Peter Ingram, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daryl Tuffey, Tim Southee, Brent Arnel, Jeetan Patel Chris Martin, and Mathew Sinclair.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (capt.), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay, Philip Hughes, Steven Smith and Peter George.