As it turned out, even if Otago had managed to defend its modest total of 150 for eight, it would not have be able to reach the January 22 final thanks to Canterbury dispatching Wellington by 70 runs at Hagley Oval and cementing its spot.
But Otago was not to know that and batted itself to a standstill after making a positive start.
Auckland, though, has been the form team in HRV Cup and demonstrated its class with a comprehensive display.
In-form Black Caps batsman Martin Guptill led a superb chase with an undefeated 68 from 47 deliveries and combined in a crucial 97-run stand for the second-wicket with Azhar Mahmood.
Former Black Cap Lou Vincent flew in from Hong Kong for the game and kick-started the chase with a punishing 31 from 17 balls.
His promising innings was cut short when Nick Beard trapped him leg before wicket. But Auckland did not lose any momentum with Mahmood equally content to take the long handle to Otago's attack.
Guptill, too, punished anything loose and the pair made it look all too easy for the visitors.
He brought up his 50 with a flat six back over the bowler's head and moments later was congratulating Mahmood when he also raised 50.
But, in sight of a hundred-run partnership, Mahmood got a thick edge and keeper Derek de Boorder, who was up at the stumps, got a tad lucky, with the ball wedging itself between his elbow and ribs.
The match was effectively over as a contest by then and Guptill sealed the impressive win when he smashed three consecutive fours from the bowling of Craig Smith.
Spin duo Nathan McCullum and Beard were the pick of the Otago bowlers but the home side just did not have enough runs on the board to mount any pressure.
"We had a good start but we just didn't kick on," Otago coach Vaughn Johnson said.
Otago made a sparkling beginning with Brendon McCullum and Hamish Rutherford combining to score 42 runs in the first four overs.
The way McCullum swivels into a pull shot had to be worth the price of admission for the 1315 paying customers. He blasted Black Caps team-mate Kyle Mills over midwicket with his trademark furious hand speed and precise timing. It was a joy to watch.
Rutherford, too, entertained with 24 off 17 before he got a top edge to a short delivery from Mahmood brought his downfall.
Former Otago keeper Gareth Hopkins took a nice catch over his shoulder.
Craig Cumming looked in good touch. He cut a ball backward of point for a boundary and worked the next delivery to fine leg for another. It was a touch of class from a quality player.
Right about when Otago should have been lifting the tempo, left-arm spinner Roneel Hira came in and tied an end up.
He has been good all tournament and was excellent again, taking one for 19.
But it was part-time bowler Colin Munroe who struck the most important blow. McCullum (35 from 32) mis-timed a short delivery straight to Michael Bates at midwicket.
It seemed an ideal time for his older brother Nathan to come in or perhaps Jimmy Neesham.
Both are explosive batsmen who are capable of striking boundaries from the onset. But Otago stuck with the pecking order and in came Neil Broom. Broom is a class player but he is a known slow starter and has been struggling to find his touch. He laboured to 10 from 11 deliveries and more momentum was lost.
The Volts drifted through the middle stages and lacked the desperation needed to punish what was some pretty good bowling from Auckland.
Hard-hitting all-rounder Dimitri Mascarenhas batted far too low in the order. He was left with just three deliveries to make an impact. He hit two of them to the fence and was bowled with the last ball of the innings.
Meanwhile, Canterbury ensured it was in top nick for this week as its impressive top four powered it to 193 for three from 20 overs against Wellington yesterday.
Rob Nicol (48), George Worker (55 not out), Peter Fulton (38) and Dean Brownlie (24) hammered the Wellington bowlers to all corners of the ground and only Jeetan Patel, who conceded 18 runs from his four overs, was spared.
When James Franklin departed for 28 in the 13th over in Wellington's reply it triggered a huge collapse from the visiting side which lost its last seven wickets for 15 runs.
Skipper Grant Elliot top-scored with 51 from 32 balls.
Northern Districts beat Central Districts by 23 runs in Napier on Saturday night.
