Peter Breen added a penalty to extend Northland's lead but a well-placed chip from Bay of Plenty first-five Kelly Haimonaput second-five Terrence Hepetama under the posts.
Then in a pivotal moment in the fixture, Northland blindside flanker Tom Robinson took out Hepetama in the air and was subsequently sin-binned.
Bay of Plenty kicked for touch and after Hepetama broke the line at speed, the ball was moved with Haimona feeding Parete into the gap for his second try.
A minute into the second half, Bay of Plenty No.8 Joe Tupe appeared out of the middle of a driving lineout maul to score the bonus point try for Bay of Plenty.
Then no sooner had Robinson restored the Northland side to 15, lock Shane Neville was ruled to have impeded a lineout maul and a penalty try was awarded by referee Michael Lash, effectively clinching the game for Bay of Plenty.
Halfback Sam Nock didn't go down quietly, setting up a flying Lawebuka for his second try of the night when he took a quick tap and burst into space.
Bay of Plenty hit right back when Tupe who ran a fine angle who got over for his second try.
Northland were forced to throw caution to the wind and in that mode they conceded their seventh try when replacement lock Shahn Eru took an intercept and fed fullback Isaac Te Aute who put his speed to use down the left flank to race in for an impressive try.
Northland finished strongly and had some consolation when replacement Matt Talaese drove over from a ruck to score.
