They showed signs of life at times, notably from sparky fullback Matt Wright.
But their scrum was battling against Nic Mayhew et al and Nafi Tuitavake, who ran as freely on the Harbour wing as he has all year, and they could get little going.
Their Fijian debutant wing Isimeli Taqea hardly touched the ball, though he did cross for a try.
The first half did not yield the expected bumper crop of tries.
Both sides were understandably loose, as they have been all through 2015, though the home side commanded most of the field position.
There was plenty of early whistle, but no points until North Harbour centre Pita Ahki shrugged off three would-be tacklers on a solo run.
Hooker James Parsons added the second just a few minutes later from an intercept.
He had a brace after seven minutes of the second half.
The best try of the first half went to Matt Wright, one of the Taniwha's best, who ran a direct route to the tryline from a classic miss three move off a lineout.
One of the more bizarre sights was lock Hayden Triggs winning a lineout off his own ball without leaving his feet.
North Harbour: 36 (James Parsons 2, Pita Ahki, Ray Niuia, Nafi Tuitavake tries; Daniel Halangahu 3 con, pen, Matt McGahan con)
Northland: 12 (Matt Wright, Isimeli Taqea tries; Dan Hawkins con)
Halftime: 17-7