Fast-finishing Travis Smyth and Wade Ormsby are flying the Australian flag in a tie for second as a cluster of Kiwis look to end a long local drought in the $1.69 million NZ Open at Millbrook Resort.

Smyth birdied his last four holes on Friday to card the lowest second-round score of eight-under 63 and move to 11 under, a mark tied late in the day by Ormsby (65).

They shared second spot alongside leading NZ hope and DP World Tour star Daniel Hillier, with the trio a shot adrift of the outright leader, boom Kiwi amateur Yuki Miya (67).

Another New Zealander, Kerry Mountcastle, was alone in fifth at 10 under.

It was a gruelling day for the 31-year Smyth, who was up at 4.30am in time to complete the last seven holes of his rain-delayed opening round before switching his focus straight to round two.

The Asian Tour regular made the late decision in January to renew his Australasian Tour membership with the hope of making a run at the Order of Merit title.

Were that to happen, Smyth would earn a full DP World Tour card for 2027.

But adding to his sole win as a professional - which came at the Yeangder  TPC back in 2022 - is very much front of mind.

"I want to play well, I want to lift trophies," said Smyth, who has had more than 20 top-10 finishes since that triumph in Taiwan four years ago.

"I've put myself in contention so many times and I've only won once as a pro and once as an amateur.

"I feel like I should be holding more trophies, so that's what I'm aiming for."

Ormsby made his move late in the day, signing for a six-under 65 shortly before play was called off due to failing light with several groups still to complete their second rounds.

The 45-year-old South Australian was a late replacement for Phil Mickelson at LIV Golf Adelaide earlier this month, but has never claimed a win on the Australasian Tour.

The man they are all chasing at Millbrook is 20-year-old amateur Miya, who  bounced back strongly from a double bogey late in his round with birdies on his last two holes to card a 67.

"That double set me back a bit, I definitely had to regroup after that one but I clawed my way back," said Miya, who doesn't intend to turn pro until after the 2027 Eisenhower Cup.

"Obviously there's a long way to go, still 36 holes to play, but I'll do my best, stick to my processes and see how it goes."

Hillier overcame an upset stomach and swing issues to stay near the top of the leaderboard at 11 under.

The top Kiwi hope knocked in three birdies to complete his opening round of eight-under 63 and then backed up with a 68.

It would have been even better but for a bogey on the par-3 18th, when Hillier hit his tee shot into the water surrounding the green.

The  only New Zealander to win the national Open since 2003 was Michael Hendry in 2017, a drought that Miya, Hillier, Mountcastle and their compatriots would all dearly like to end on Sunday.

Australian LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert made a big move on Friday with a 65 to go to seven under.

But his playing partner and defending champion Ryan Peake will miss the weekend action after bogeying the last two holes of his second round to sign for a 71.

Peake finished at level par, with the halfway cut projected to be three  under.