The painful defeat resulted in the Volts slipping outside the top four in the Ford Trophy one-day competition and the blame sits squarely with some dreadful running between the wickets.
The Volts might have scored a lot more than the 272 they managed had it not been for some poor communication in the middle.
But Wellington opener Malcolm Nofal also played a significant role. The left-hander helped wrest the game away from the visiting side's grip with a stunning maiden one-day century.
He whacked 108 from 111 balls but did not get the support he needed from the rest of the batting line-up.
When he was dismissed in the 39th over, Wellington still had a mountain to climb.
But unlikely batting heroes Peter Younghusband (52 not out) and Ollie Newton (35 not out) surprised Otago with a match-winning and unbeaten stand of 92 from 54 balls to clinch the victory.
Younghusband's previous highest score was just 14, while Newton's best was eight not out. Who would have thought the pair would set a Wellington eighth-wicket partnership record against Otago, eclipsing the previous mark of 50?
The Volts need to finish in the top four to reach the playoffs and will probably need to win two of their final three round-robin games to achieve that.
The game started well for Otago. Captain Rob Nicol helped his side get off to a positive start with a knock of 40.
He combined in a healthy 62-run partnership with Shawn Hicks for the second wicket.
The Volts were well-placed at 99 for two when he skied a catch. But a series of disappointing run-outs ripped away some momentum.
Hicks was involved in two of them. He called Neil Broom through for a tight single.
Broom hesitated momentarily before committing himself. The right-hander pulled out a valiant dive but was caught just short when Logan van Beek whistled in a good throw.
It was always going to be a cheeky run and one of those you have to risk every now and then. But perhaps not when the captain has just got out.
The next run-out was awful. Derek de Boorder called Hicks through for a reckless single and quickly bailed out. Hicks had got too far down the pitch to get back.
He was well set on 37 from 52 deliveries before de Boorder's error cost him his wicket.
But the show-stopper had to be Neil Wagner's run-out. He called Jimmy Neesham through but Neesham was caught ball watching and was too busy dancing on the spot and hesitating to respond.
He had his back to Wagner the whole time as well. It really was a basic mistake from the former international all-rounder.
However, he batted nicely, swatting 62 from 48 deliveries and helping get Otago through to a useful total.
Matt Bacon (21 not out) and Jack Hunter (11) put on a valuable 32 for the last wicket.
Van Beek was impressive with the ball for Wellington with three for 35 from 9.2 overs. Leg-spinner Younghusband also had a good day at the bowling crease with one for 48, while Alex Ridley made a promising debut with two for 49.
In Palmerston North, Central Districts beat Canterbury by two-wickets to consolidate its spot at the top of the standings while Auckland beat Northern Districts by 82 runs in Whangarei.
