Mina Phillips stripped a Pacific player of the ball before linking up well with a team mate. He received the ball back and darted over to score the opener.
Halfback Te Kaiaotea Tahuriorangi did what he does best, showing and going near the line to score his team's second.
Tahuriorangi, also known as Bully, broke his finger earlier in the week but played well on Saturday.
Their third came when Robbie Phillips ran on to a good ball on the left edge after Pikiao created an overlap.
He still had a lot to do and stepped the fullback before going in to score.
Pacific dug deep to launch a comeback before halftime. Aaron Dean and Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano both scored tries before the break, making it 12-8.
Of the five tries scored in the first half, none was converted.
Tahuriorangi scored the first try after the break for Pikiao but the momentum quickly shifted to Pacific.
Fatigue became a factor for Pikiao and they were unable to withstand the strong Pacific attack in the last 30 minutes.
Pacific ran in four converted tries to kill off the game and take the chocolates with a well-earned victory.
Pacific coach Paniora Daniels said his side were sluggish on Saturday but he was happy with the hard-fought win.
"It took us a while to get into it today," he said. "But I'm just glad the boys showed a bit of character.
"We had a few players out and it showed the depth we have at the moment."
He said they had a tough match against Ngongotaha in Rotorua next weekend before the bye.
"It would be nice to end the round undefeated but you do not win the competition at the start of the season."
In the other premier games, Ngongotaha continued their fine form of late with a big win over Central (Rotorua) and Taupo defeated Mangakino.
Pacific 32 (Victor Karora-Reu 2, Aaron Dean, Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano, Kardas Kaea, Yannis Mea tries; Ngari Hawkins 4 con) defeated Pikiao 18 (Te Kaiaotea Tahuriorangi 2, Mina Phillips, Robbie Phillips; Pirikawana Taiatini con)