New Zealand completed an eight-wicket victory in the first test against Pakistan in Christchurch on Sunday.

Kane Williamson, leading the side in a test for the first time at home, scored his 24th half century before being dismissed for 61 with one run needed for victory.

Jeet Raval (36 not out) hit a four to take New Zealand to 108 for two, the hosts having needed 105 for the win.

New Zealand had bowled the visitors out in their second innings for 171 about an hour into the fourth day's play at Hagley Oval, setting themselves a target of 105 to secure a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

Tom Latham was the only New Zealand wicket to fall before lunch when he failed to handle a bouncer from Mohammad Amir and was caught in the gully by Asad Shafiq for nine.

The victory was New Zealand's first in their last six tests, having drawn the first match with South Africa in August before losing the second then being swept 3-0 by India in October.

The ball dominated the bat in the low-scoring match, with only Raval, who scored 55 in the first innings, and Williamson passing 50 runs. The entire first day was also washed out.

The visitors had faced an uphill battle to prolong the test beyond Sunday, having resumed on 129 for seven and with a lead of just 62 runs, with pace bowler Sohail Khan on 22 and Shafiq on six.

Sohail held up New Zealand's attempts to wrap up the tail quickly, taking his eighth-wicket counter-attacking partnership with Shafiq to 53 before he was caught for 40.

Shafiq was the ninth wicket to fall for 17 when he was well caught in the deep by Raval, before Rahat Ali was last man out for two when he popped a full delivery from Tim Southee to Latham at short leg.

Pakistan had been well set to build a competitive second innings total when they were 57 for one on Saturday before Neil Wagner made a double strike, then Trent Boult grabbed three late wickets to reduce them to 105 for seven.

The second test is in Hamilton from November 25.