DAVID Warner has revealed how the family tragedy of losing his uncle to liver cancer inspired him on his way to launching a bold new era for Australia on a record-breaking day at the Gabba.
Test cricket's newest leader and comeback sensation Usman Khawaja raised the drawbridge against an obliterated New Zealand at the Brisbane fortress with emphatic hundreds that provided hope for a batting order broken by its Ashes failure.
Khawaja shone in a blazing return from two-and-a-half years in the cricketing wilderness plus a knee reconstruction, with an unbeaten 102 off 133 balls, as Australia posted 2/389 at stumps on day one - the home side's biggest opening day in Brisbane. 
Warner delivered on his promise to stand up in his first match as vice-captain with a brutal 163 and afterwards the emotional star opened up on the moving black armband tribute he made to his father's brother Ray Warner, who passed away in the lead-up to the first Test.
"I lost my uncle about two-and-a-half weeks ago. It was a tough stage through the back end of England," Warner said.
"I think I was lucky to actually come back and see him. He had a struggle for a year. He was diagnosed with liver cancer towards the end and obviously got riddled with it and unfortunately we lost him.
"He was very close to my dad. He never missed a game of ours. He would always ring my old man up in the mornings to see if I had any tips for the horses, which sometimes weren't too good for him.
"But he was a character. Full of life, lots of energy and someone I will miss greatly.
"He was so proud of â€¦ the Warner family, that's his legacy and I'm going to try to keep that rolling on.
"He's watching up there and I know he'll be proud." Warner fought through the pain barrier caused by a recently-fractured thumb and led the way for under-fire top-order rookies Joe Burns (71) and Khawaja to follow.
"I think it's always important as an opening batsman to come out here and do a good job," he said. "Credit to Uzzie for first hundred, I couldn't be any prouder as a childhood friend growing up with him. I know how much it means to him â€¦ and his family.
"He seemed to do it with a bit of ease â€¦ and it shows he's cemented his spot there." Khawaja, in his third coming in the Test side, blasted a spectacular knock with the promise of much more to come on day two alongside captain Steve Smith (41 not out) - who passed 1000 Test runs for the calendar year.
Warner's involvement in back-to-back 150-run stands shattered dreams of a Kiwi upset and showed a bright new future is possible for Australia after the batting crisis that railroaded the Ashes.
Recently-retired opening partner Chris Rogers revealed on radio the depth of Warner's desperation to make an immediate statement as vice-captain, especially after failing to convert six consecutive half-centuries this year in the West Indies and England.
"That's going to mean about as much as any other hundred he's got. It's great to see him for the first time really have to think about his game plan," said Rogers.
The 161-run stand shared by Warner and Burns was the highest by a first-time opening pair since Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer posted 158 in their first Test batting together against England in 2001.
FIRST TEST Australia v New Zealand Brisbane, Nov 5-9 AUSTRALIA FIRST INNINGS
RMB4s6s Joe Burns c Watling b Southee 71 181 120 12 0 Played at one he could have let go. Edge to the keeper David Warner c Taylor b Neesham 163 315 224 19 1 Tried to smash a wide one through cover. Great overhead catch at slip Usman Khawaja 102 203 133 10 2 Not out Steve Smith 41 71 54 7 0 Not out Extras (6lb, 3w, 3nb) 12
Total (Two wickets for) 389
Fall: 1/161 (Burns), 2/311 (Warner).
Bowling: Southee 19-5-63-1; Boult 19-2-90-0; Bracewell 18-2-79-0; Craig 21-3-96-0; Neesham 7-1-36-1, Williamson 4-0-19-0.
Overs: 88. Minutes: 387 Toss: Australia won toss and elected to bat.
Umpires: Richard Illingworth (Eng), Nigel Llong (Eng).
Match referee: Roshan Mahanama (Sri).
Score at stumps on Day 1.
THE SHOT The Aussies had a plan to attack New Zealand off-spinner Mark Craig, and the twinkle-toed Usman Khawaja executed it perfectly, creating a half-volley before depositing the Kookaburra over the extra cover fence with an imperious lofted cover drive.
THE FORECAST The Aussies will push for quick runs and a declaration today but they could be frustrated by the Queensland weather, with showers expected during the first two sessions.
THE BALL Not much to get excited about for the Kiwis yesterday, but the second ball of the match from Tim Southee angled in to Joe Burns, forced him to play before swinging past the outside side. He delivered another similar beauty in his third over to again beat Burns. And that was about as good as it got for the visitors.
THE HEROWith such an inexperienced batting order, opener Dave Warner's role at the top was always going to be crucial for the Aussies. He showed restraint when it was needed, lifting the pace as the Kiwi attack faltered. He now has as many Test centuries (13) as Bill Lawry, but he's made them in 44 Tests as opposed to The Phantom's 67.