The Australian-born fast bowler produced a tight spell to put the clamps on Otago and then returned to capture the crucial wicket of Aaron Redmond.
Ultimately, his spell of two for 10 proved to be the difference during both sides' opening game of the HRV Cup at the Basin Reserve on Saturday.
Despite some nervous moments late in the match, Wellington hunted down Otago's tally of 153 for six to secure a three-wicket win.
Former Wellington gloveman Chris Nevin made a statement with a brilliant cameo, whacking six fours in an intelligent innings of 35 off 17 deliveries.
He put a huge dent in Otago's prospects when he stroked three boundaries to extra cover and plundered 16 runs off left arm spinner Nick Beard.
Stewart Rhodes played the anchor role with a patient innings of 49, and Michael Pollard put on a superb display of clean hitting with a quick-fire innings of 32.
But Wright had the last say, hitting the winning runs with what is perhaps best described as a fortunate stroke.
He stepped to leg looking to free his arms but was forced to defend a well directed bouncer from Neil Wagner. The awkward deflection carried for a boundary.
Otago had its moments in the match but now has a couple of days to regroup before playing Northern Districts in Oamaru on Wednesday.
The Volts secured early momentum, with Redmond striking the ball magnificently and pummelling 82 runs from 54 deliveries.
His first shot of real authority was a massive six over the midwicket embankment. The ball made a fabulous crack off the bat and he followed that shot with a elegant straight drive for four.
Medium pacer Ronald Karaitiana had a harsh introduction to twenty/20 cricket with Redmond dispatching a majestic lofted drive back over the forlorn bowler's head and whistling a crisp drive past him the very next ball.
Redmond raised his 50 off just 31 deliveries and celebrated the milestone with a marvellous piece of invention, shuffling to off stump and using the bowler's pace to loft the delivery over the square leg boundary.
Neil Broom played a valuable support role but, on 23, he mis-timed a lofted drive, bringing an end to a 94-run stand for the second wicket.
Left arm spinner Luke Woodcock helped put the brakes on Otago's innings with a tidy spell. He picked up two wickets and conceded just 23 runs. Most importantly, for Wellington, Redmond was deprived of the strike during that period and the visitor lost impetus.
A score of about 180 was on when Redmond was slugging the ball but Wellington did well to peg the run-rate back, getting rid of Craig Cumming cheaply and the dangerous Darren Stevens before he could really get going.
Redmond holed out in the penultimate over off the bowling of Wright. The bowler capped off a superb performance when he bowled Chris Nash with his last delivery.
The other Wright - Luke Wright - had a forgettable match for Wellington. The England international shelved three catches and threw his wicket away on 18 after having just been dropped himself.
Wagner threatened to take the game away from Wellington with a fine spell bowling towards the end of the match. He bowled Pollard earlier and then returned to dismissed Woodcock.
Karaitiana denied Wagner a hat trick but perished the very next delivery. Wagner's three for 29 was good reward for a lively spell.
