England had reached 176 for six at the break, 68 runs short of the follow on and 267 runs behind New Zealand's first innings tally of 443.
Root was on unbeaten on 37 while Stuart Broad had yet to score after Prior had been dismissed 15 minutes before the break for 73 when he hammered the ball straight to Hamish Rutherford at point off Neil Wagner.
Until that point, New Zealand had been ruing dropping the aggressive wicketkeeper when he was on 24 earlier in the session.
The 31-year-old Prior, who was seen as the key wicket for New Zealand to take after lunch to truly hammer home their advantage, got a thick edge to a Tim Southee delivery only for Dean Brownlie to drop the low chance to his right.
Brownlie got both hands to the ball but it spilled clear as his elbows hit the ground and Southee stood mid pitch with his hands on his hips glaring at his team mate.
Root and Prior had come together with England on 72 for five before lunch and even with their century stand, the tourists were still in danger of conceding a first innings deficit of more than 200.
STRONG POSITION Southee and Trent Boult had earlier put New Zealand into a strong position at lunch after taking three wickets, all lbw, in the first session.
England had bowled New Zealand out for 443 after tea on the second day and Boult had given his side a further advantage when he dismissed Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott to leave England on 50 for two overnight.
Nick Compton (12) and Ian Bell (six) were immediately in trouble when they resumed on Sunday as Boult and Southee pitched the ball up and forced them to play at deliveries more often than they had on Saturday.
Compton had added just one run to his overnight tally when he was struck in front by a Southee delivery in the third over of the day.
Umpire Paul Reiffel was initially unconvinced as there appeared to be two sounds so New Zealand asked for the decision to be reviewed.
Television replays showed the ball had hit the front pad before Compton made contact, while tracking technology showed that it had pitched in line and would have hit half way up between middle and leg stump.
Southee trapped Bell shortly after for 17 when he bowled a succession of balls outside off then brought one back and hit the righthander in front of the stumps. Bell consulted with Root but decided against a review.
Television umpire Steve Davis was, however, called upon again when Jonny Bairstow was trapped in front by Boult for three, New Zealand successfully appealing the verdict.
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