Rachel McCann scored in the 42nd minute and was followed by an effort from Bridget Kiddle four minutes later to give themselves some breathing room.
Northland had their chances but were unable to convert them into goals.
Canterbury scored their fourth in the last minute through Libby Bird.
Northland will look to open their account against the also winless Central.
Meanwhile, the men succumbed to a five-goal burst straight after the halftime break.
Northland held their own in the early stages against the competition front-runners, but it was a case of when, not if, they would open the scoring.
The floodgates opened in the 18th minute when Sam Lane hit the first of his three goals.
Two minutes later, Nick Haig scored off a penalty corner to give Canterbury a 2-0 lead at halftime.
The second half started about as badly as it could have for Northland.
Just one minute in, Northland conceded a penalty corner that Jason Niles converted on.
The very next minute Northland conceded another penalty corner which gave Lane his second goal.
Lane completed his hat-trick in the 33rd minute and with a brace in the next three minutes from Willie Hayde, Canterbury had five goals in six minutes.
Cam Hyde added an eighth four minutes from the end to give Canterbury the 8-0 trouncing.
Northland will be hoping to bounce back when they face Central.
