On the back of a smashing Michael Bracewell innings of 98 and a sizeable contribution from captain Aaron Redmond (63), the Volts posted 335 for seven, a record score at Molyneux Park.
A demoralised Northern Districts managed just 113 in reply, gifting Otago a colossal 222-run win - the largest in the history of one-day cricket in New Zealand.
With Josh Finnie and Brad Rodden making their one-day debuts for Otago, and a relatively green seam attack, the Volts entered the match as underdogs.
Otago finished last in the twenty20 competition and made a poor start to the Plunket Shield, and coach Dimitri Mascarenhas had emphasised the importance of starting the one-day campaign well.
Otago made a cautious beginning before launching its assault on the bowling, much to the delight of a crowd of just under 1000.
''It is not all crash and bang,'' Redmond said.
''You have to build a base and from there look to kick on from around the 30th-35th over with wickets in hand to get the bigger total, and it went to plan [on Saturday].
''It is a big ground here and once you get yourself set, there are plenty of twos and ones on offer. We found the longer we were batting ... the easier the runs came.''
With Otago's middle order lacking some experience, Redmond felt it was important the top order stepped up.
''In all forms of cricket, if your top four are making all the runs then you are going to have some good days. The onus is always on the top four to get the runs.''
All-rounders Sam Wells and Nathan McCullum also made telling contributions.
Wells injured his calf during the twenty20 competition and had not played in more than a month. He immediately made his presence felt, forging a 76-run stand at the top of the innings with Redmond.
He was given out caught behind for a well-made 41 and was in terrific form with the ball, taking three for 15. He picked up the key wicket of Daniel Flynn and removed the other opener, Mitchell Santner.
McCullum had been away on Black Caps duty and showed his class on his provincial return, whacking 46 from 33 balls to help get Otago past 300 and then taking two for 16 with his off-breaks.
Redmond will miss Otago's game against Wellington in Queenstown tomorrow. He is returning to Dunedin to be with his wife, Katie, for the birth of the couple's second child.
Ryan Duffy will replace Redmond and will make his one-day debut.
Wellington will be hurting after suffering a massive 193-run loss to Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval on Saturday. But Redmond expects the defending champion will be tough.
''They are a good side. We always have hard matches against them. They probably have one of the most experienced cricket sides in the whole competition. You go through the list of all the players and there are some real classy players.
''But drawing on the win in our last four-dayer and the win [in Alexandra], hopefully we go into the game with some momentum.''
One player Wellington will need to be aware of is Bracewell. He hit eight sixes and three fours in a 79-ball innings. Molyneux Park is one of the bigger cricket grounds around the country, so it is some achievement to put the ball over the ropes that often.
One memorable hook shot clattered into the pavilion and was probably still on its way up when it connected with the roof - it was hit with that much force.
He had a life on 22, though. Poor Scott Kuggeleijn had both Bracewell and Redmond dropped in the 26th over. Jono Hickey dropped a regulation catch at deep square leg when Bracewell hit a pull shot straight to him. That proved costly as the batsman addeda further 76 runs.
Bracewell holed out on the boundary on 98, going for one big hit too many. But it was a fabulous knock and he has continued on his impressive form from last season.
Otago's 335 for seven surpassed the previous ground record of 297 for four scored by England against Otago in January 1984.
Its victory margin of 222 smashed its previous largest victory margin of 153, recorded against Wellington in Alexandra in January 1983.
