A late double for rising centre Malakai Fekitoa carried Auckland to a 33-22 defeat of Wellington and a place in the NPC Premiership division rugby final.
Fekitoa's tries in the 60th and 70th minutes turned around an eight-point deficit in the second semi-final at Wellington on Saturday.
The Aucklanders will travel to Christchurch for the final on Saturday to face a Canterbury side who needed extra time to see off Taranaki 51-27.
Wellington contributed to their own demise with a brain explosion when leading 22-14 that gifted Fekitoa his first try.
The home side inexplicably spread the ball wide in front of their posts and a laboured pass by flanker Ross Filipo was intercepted by the 20-year-old, who has been a standout performer in his first season at this level.
His second try and another to midfield partner Hadleigh Parkes with five minutes remaining lifted Auckland to a sixth successive win.
Wellington had won four on the trot themselves but made too many errors and were shaded at the breakdown by the energetic visitors.
Operating on little possession, Wellington struck either side of halftime through tries to Filipo and lock Mark Reddish.
Prop Pauliasi Manu kept Auckland within range but dynamic Wellington flanker Ardie Savea then scored after an electric 60m break from second five-eighth Shaun Treeby as the game burst to life in the second spell.
First five-eighth Gareth Anscombe landed 13 points in blustery conditions and will be a crucial figure when Auckland try to prevent Canterbury from winning a fifth successive NPC crown.
NZN