Auckland's on the board in the provincial rugby competition after narrowly edging Wellington 21-17 in a rain-drenched capital.
Auckland's first win of this year's ITM Cup came on the back of a strong second-half performance, despite playing their third game in seven days.
The visitors dominated for most of the second spell in awful conditions at Westpac Stadium, although they had to hold out a late charging Lions side to muscle their way to victory after leading 13-10 at half-time.
Elsewhere, Bay of Plenty thrashed North Harbour 38-17 at Mount Maunganui, Southland took the Ranfurly Shield off Canterbury with a 22-19 win in Christchurch and Manawatu edged Northland 30-22 in Palmerston North.