Both sides battled at times in the howling breeze, but Northern applied more pressure at crucial moments and scrambled superbly on defence.
The resurgent Dunedin club have scored five goals and conceded just one in a highly promising start to their inaugural season in the league.
They capitalised on relentless pressure yesterday to score right on halftime and added a second shortly after the restart to take control of the game.
Wanaka showed some promising early signs and had the first real chance of the game when Stanley Blair fired in a firm shot that demanded a lovely low save from Northern keeper Eli Urwin.
But most of the rest of the first half had Northern on top.
Alexander Dale curled in a dangerous free kick that rumbled around loosely before being cleared, and Zac Baird-Hodge headed wide from a corner.
Northern promptly had three more corners in quick succession, but while their deliveries were on point, they could not get a sight on goal.
Against the run of play, Wanaka nearly took the lead.
Wynn Skinner pounced on a wayward pass and was one-on-one with Urwin, but the alert Northern keeper came out quickly to extinguish the threat.
While Northern had two more corners, and Wanaka had a couple of half-chances, it appeared likely the first half was to remain scoreless.
That was until an untidy goalmouth scramble right before the break that ended with the ball in the Wanaka net and the declaration of an own goal.
Nick Brett had a decent crack but shot wide 10 minutes into the second half, and Northern extended their lead barely 60 seconds later.
Another delightful corner whistled into the box and was met by Nicholas Treadwell’s head for a 2-0 lead.
Wanaka tried hard to get back into the game, and had the better of the last 20 minutes, but Northern held firm.
Urwin never looked like being beaten, Northern captain Luka Mandich was his usual composed self, and Baird-Hodge put in a good shift up front.
Wanaka can be consoled in the knowledge they created plenty of pressure, mainly through the hard-running Samba Will and relentless Robert Mackay.
In Nelson, the Dunedin City Royals fell to a 4-1 loss to Nelson Suburbs.
Cato Williams scored for the Royals on the stroke of halftime to make it 1-1 at the break before Nelson dominated the second half.
Former Northern marksman Rory Hibbert scored a hat-trick to guide league leaders Cashmere Technical to a 5-0 thumping of Ferrymead Bays, Christchurch United beat Nomads United 3-0, and Coastal Spirit beat Selwyn United 2-1.
Southern League
The scores
Northern...........2
Own goal 45’, Nicholas Treadwell 55’
Wānaka...........0
Halftime: Northern 1-0
