Australia require a further 131 runs in order to beat New Zealand and claim the second Test and the series in Christchurch.
The tourists ended day four on 70-1 after bowling their opponents out for 335 in the second innings, but it was not without controversy.
During the morning session, Josh Hazlewood could be heard on the stump microphones swearing at umpire Ranmore Martinesz after an lbw call on Kane Williamson was denied.
Hazlewood said: "What? It hit his foot. Who the fuck is third umpire?"
As a result of his rant, the bowler was charged with dissent and later admitted that he swore and will face some form of punishment from the International Cricket Council.
Williamson was eventually bowled out for 97 by Jackson Bird and the wickets began to tumble, but not before BJ Watling and Matt Henry contributed knocks of 46 and 66 respectively.
Australia were dealt a blow in their second innings when David Warner was dismissed after scoring 22 runs off 33 balls, but Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja continue to lead the charge.
Burns is unbeaten on 27 runs, while Khawaja has 19 on the board.
