Michael Vaughan had already lost his wicket at that point, leaving England in a fragile position, but captain Nasser Hussain and Mark Butcher saw the side through to the close.
Hussain was on 16 not out and Butcher on 24 not out when the match was stopped for the day, but with two days already gone a result may be unlikely.
That won't help New Zealand, because they are already 1-0 down in the three-Test series, and their injury-weakened team won't want to go into the final Test still behind.
Hear Story
Chat about sport
Win signed cricket shirt
Try our cricket quiz
