"At the start we were worried Chris Cox might get out in front of us but it worked out all right. So we're pretty happy as we worked pretty hard all season - along with support from Aegis Oil and Farmlands who've helped get us to where we are.
"It's been a good season for us - for sure."
Setting the fastest time in qualifying was Lauder's first goal of the weekend, along with getting a good start for the pit-stop race.
Achieving the first aim his crew completed the other and returned the farming contractor to the race with his lead intact.
"The irony was it could have easily swung the other way," Suzuki New Zealand motorsport manager Darren Stevens said.
"Even with AJ getting fastest in qualifying and a further three points, there were 11 other cars all wanting those 150 points for the win.
"Rangiora's Chris Cox was right there with AJ and it was unfortunate for him that he had a mishap with the car that was found and fixed during the pit-stop, as if he'd come out in front of AJ it would have made a real difference to the championship. Same too for Mark Gibson - he was in there and if it hadn't been for his car shutting down into limp mode the result could have been very different.
"As I've said before, AJ's come a long way and it was pretty exciting to see him take that win - it's a big effort by him and his whole team."
Cox finished fifth while Gibson finished 12th in a day of perfect calm, warm conditions.
