The Sparks had lost their first four games in the one-day format and the five-wicket win was long overdue, with the competition already at the halfway mark.
Otago captain Suzie Bates was the star of the chase to reach Central's modest 177, scoring an unbeaten 80 off 98 balls and guiding her side past the total with 12.1 overs in hand.
She batted the entire innings, stroking seven boundaries in her classy innings.
Despite losing opener Caitlin Blakely with just 16 runs on the board, Otago's run-chase never looked like it would fall short. Bates and Victoria Abbott (33 runs) put on 56 runs for the fourth wicket, steering Otago to 152 for four after 32 overs.
Katey Martin continued her good form batting at No 4, smacking a quick-fire 30 off just 21 deliveries.
Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent into bat, the Hinds looked set to post a decent total at 81 for two after 22 overs.
However, the previously unbeaten Hinds lost seven wickets for 52 runs to be reeling at 133 for nine with eight overs left to bat.
Only a 44-run last-wicket stand between Michelle Bunkall and No 11 Kate Baxter lifted the Hinds to a respectable total.
Baxter did a good job of feeding Bunkall the strike, allowing her to hit 49 off 47 balls and frustrate the Sparks' bowling attack.
She was one of just three Hinds players to score more than seven runs. Opener Kelly Rangi top-scored with 53 and Kate Broadmore stroked 37.
Spinner Emma Campbell was the pick of the Otago bowlers, finishing with three for 22 from her 10 allotted overs.
Seamer Georgia Clarke took three for 49, including the key wicket of Broadmore in the 22nd over.
In yesterday's other games, the Canterbury Magicians beat the Auckland Hearts by four wickets and the Wellington Blaze edged the Northern Spirit by two runs.
Yesterday's win made it two from two for the Sparks during the weekend, having beaten the same opponent by 16 runs in Saturday's twenty20 match at Lincoln.
Led by Bates' 72 runs off 52 balls and Martin's 61 off 49, Otago plundered 158 for three from its 20 overs.
Despite a hard-hitting 78 from Broadmore, the Hinds could manage only 142 for eight in reply. Morna Nielson was brilliant with ball in hand, picking up three for 20 from her four allotted overs, including a rare maiden over.
Otago is tied with Wellington and Auckland in the twenty20 competition standings with two wins from three games, but sits third with an inferior net run rate.
The Sparks play the Hinds again today in the one-day competition in Christchurch, before hosting the Northern Spirit in Alexandra on January 3.
By Robert van Royen.
