Bay of Plenty scored five tries to three and made the most of its chances when they came along.
Otago made too many mistakes and their playoff proscpects are now hanging by a thread.
The home team failed to hang on to the ball and missed too many tackles.
Bay of Plenty 36 (Hugh Blake, Terrence Hepetema, Joe Webber, Chase Tiatia, Luke Campbell tries; Mike Delany 3 pen, con) Otago 28 (Fletcher Smith, Jona Nareki, Matt Faddes tries; Josh Ioane 2 pen, con; Smith pen, con) Halftime: 15-13 Otago