Otago was always chasing the game, never ahead, and could not get enough quick ball to test the Auckland defence.
That defence won the game for Auckland as it put up a blue and white wall to most Otago moves and pounced on any Otago mistakes.
Otago coughed up the ball in crucial situations, and never strung enough phases together to put pressure on the visitors.
Auckland was also strong in the tackle, and never stopped working at the breakdown.
Otago kept up the effort, fought back near the end, and was pressing in the final minute, but it coughed the ball up and Auckland cleared.
Auckland won the game by scoring two quick tries in the second half after leading 8-3 at the break.
Auckland first five-eighth Daniel Bowden slipped through a gap and fed the ball on to his captain, Benson Stanley, who crossed after eight minutes of the second spell.
Five minutes later, Auckland went further ahead when Otago mucked up a line-out and Auckland drove through, with prop Tevita Mailau barging over in the corner.
But Otago came back into the game with a quarter of the game left.
Left winger Ryan Shortland, who had a mixed afternoon, found a gap 30m out and put the foot down to cross.
His league mate, Michael Witt then, added a penalty with eight minutes to go, and Otago was close, but it could not grab the cigar.
The home team struggled to get continuity into its game, and the ball was too slow coming back to halfback Sean Romans.
Best for the home side was winger Karne Hesketh, who beat four defenders to score a great try, and was dangerous every time he touched the ball.
Lock Hayden Triggs got through plenty of work up front and hooker Jason Macdonald put in another solid effort.
The Otago line-out worked well for the majority of the game.
Auckland had plenty of strong runners, but butchered some good opportunities.
Stanley was strong and Bowden made an impressive return to Carisbrook, but halfback Taniela Moa was a mixed bag.
In the pack, flanker Hamish Paterson got through plenty of work, and lock Andrew Van der Heijden was prominent throughout.
Both sides had chances in the first 20 minutes.
Auckland left winger Atieli Pakalani was over the line after 12 minutes when Auckland created an overlap but he stepped into touch just before diving for the corner.
Otago, after spending the first 10 minutes in its own half, gradually got some ball and second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft was lowered 10m out with the line open.
Auckland got the first points on the board after 25 minutes when Bowden slotted a 45m penalty from right out in front.
The visiting side followed that up with the first try of the game.
Winger Dave Thomas streaked down the left and butchered a try with a poor pass infield.
But Otago conceded a penalty from the ensuring breakdown.
Halfback Taniela Moa took a quick tap and fed lock Kurtis Haiu who leaned out to score in the tackle of Paul Grant.
Otago finally got on the board after 34 minutes when Glenn Dickson banged over a handy penalty.
The game rather meandered in the opening half, with neither side getting on the front foot, and thre were few line breaks.
Air NZ Cup
At Carisbrook
- Auckland 22
Kurtis Haiu, Benson Stanley, Tevita Mailau tries, Daniel Bowden 2 conversions, penalty goal
- Otago 18
Karne Hesketh, Ryan Shortland tries, Glenn Dickson conversion, penalty goal, Michael Witt penalty goal
Half-time: 8-3.
Crowd: 7000.
