The midfield pairing of Seta Tamanivalu and Charlie Ngatai were especially impressive in creating go-forward ball, while Blade Thompson continued a fine campaign with a first-half brace.
Despite the No 8's double, Taranaki headed to the break only five points to the good, controlling much of the first 40 minutes but undone by defensive lapses at either end of the half.
They allowed John Hardie to cross for a couple of converted tries, ensuring Taranaki were unable to run away with the game like they had in recent weeks.
The home side were threatening to do just that when Thompson added his tries to Jamison Gibson-Park's early effort, appropriate reward for a half in which the effectiveness of their attack meant their defence had little to do.
Southland were largely reduced to long-range attacking raids, settling for that unsuccessful tactic when they failed to find the field position they desired. But a combination of dogged defence from the southerners and profligacy from Taranaki ensured the Stags trailed just 19-14 heading into the second spell.
That deficit swelled shortly after the break, however, with Iopu Iopu-Aso notching a bonus point try to give Taranaki a measure a command they would never cede.
Tamanivalu then made the result certain by busting through the opposition midfield 20 minutes from time, before James Broadhurst showed speed to run away for his side's seventh try on the final play of the game.
Taranaki 41 (Gibson-Park, Thompson 2, Iopu-Aso, Tamanivalu, Broadhurst tries; McKenzie 3 cons, dg, Rei con)
Southland 19 (Hardie 2, Halaholo tries; Sopoaga 2 cons)
HT: 19-14
