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New Zealand are meant to be the nice guys of world cricket, but paceman Tim Southee showed a mean streak during the first Test against Australia.

New Zealand's 'Mr Nice Guy' turned a bit mean in the first Test when paceman Tim Southee struck Australian batsman Joe Burns on Thursday.

Southee was unapologetic after hurling the ball at Burns in an attempt to throw down the stumps.

Burns had just blocked Southee and was holding his pose as he watched the paceman gather the bouncing ball.

Southee sensed Burns may have been a centimetre out of his crease and unleashed a throw at the stumps.

The only problem was Burns was covering the whole area and there was only ever going to be one outcome - a painful blow for the batsman.

Burns did his best to block the throw with his bat, but he let out a yelp as the ball bounced up and struck him on the glove.

Southee exchanged words with David Warner at the non-striker's end as he made his way back to his mark.

Southee: "He was out (of his crease)."

Warner: "It hit his hand."

Southee: "Well he's in front of the wicket."

Warner: "Mate, c'mon. You're supposed to be Mr Nice Guy."

NZ have built a reputation for being the nice guys of world cricket, so Southee's hostility came as somewhat of a surprise.

Burns fell for nine a short time later when he was trapped lbw by allrounder Colin de Grandhomme.

Australia didn't review the decision, but they would have regretted their decision after replays showed the ball would have just missed leg stump.