It was a surprise when the Magpies turned down an easy three points in the 11th minute. However the visitors opened their account in the 16th minute when winger Cardiff Vaega won the chase to a clever kick from first five-eighth while the Magpies were under advantage.
West added the extras to tie the score. After missing two penalty attempts Breen slotted one in the 26th minute to give the Taniwha a 10-7 lead.
Northland turned down another easy penalty attempt in the 36th minute but Pryor had his second try from the lineout drive. Breen kicked the conversion to give the hosts a 17-7 halftime lead.
Poor discipline, they were on the wrong end of a 7-5 penalty count and a lack of territory let the Magpies down in the first half. Pryor, fullback Solomon Alaimalo and Breen were all prominent for the Taniwha during the first spell. Captain and hooker Ash Dixon, flanker Tony Lamborn, West and halfback Brad Weber were the pick of the Magpies.
It was disappointing to see the Magpies turn down an easy penalty attempt in the 47th minute. This could have been the start of a momentum shift and could have had the visitors within seven.
Eight minutes later Ranger scored after a clever counter attack from Northland. Substitute pivot Dan Hawkins kicked the conversion and Northland led 24-7.
The Magpies were never going to recover from this deficit. A Hawkins penalty in the 64th minute extended the hosts lead.
To their credit the Magpies never threw the towel in and Vaega was unlucky not to be rewarded with a 69th minute try to Vaega after an intelligent kick ahead from fullback Tiaan Falcon. Vaega knocked the ball on in the process of grounding.
Northland scored what could prove to be a crucial bonus point try in the 79th minute which Hawkins converted.
Scorers:
Northland 34 (Dan Pryor 2, Rene Ranger, Tim Bond tries; Peter Breen 2 cons, pen; Dan Hawkins 2 cons, pen), Hawke's Bay 7 (Cardiff Vaega try; Ihaia Wst con). HT: 17-7.