Otago coach Emma Barker was pleased with her side's performance but also frustrated it could not find a winner in the dying stages.
"They [Tauranga] finished third last year . . . and we were 11th, so we are quite pleased with that result," she said.
"It is just that we were gutted because we dominated the second half, and had lots of shots on goal, but couldn't come away with the win."
Otago trailed 1-2 at half-time but took control in the second period.
Striker Aaron Farrell and midfielder Kane Russell scored Otago's goals, while defenders Corey Farrell and Jeremy Morris were solid on defence.
Otago will today play Waikato, which was impressive in demolishing Wanganui 5-1 to lead pool C. In pool A, Manawatu thrashed Canterbury 5-1.
Canterbury won the under-15 tournament last year and was expected to be a frontrunner here.
Counties Manukau beat Wairarapa 2-0 in the other pool A match.
Wellington and Auckland drew 1-1 and Nelson beat Thames Valley 6-1 in pool B.
In pool D, Bay of Plenty beat Marlborough-Nelson 4-0 and North Harbour beat Hawkes Bay 4-1.
In the girl's tournament in Christchurch, Otago drew 2-2 with North Harbour.
Otago lost to North Harbour 1-5 in the final of the national under-18 boys premier tournament in Hamilton on Saturday.
