The home side looked to have taken control just before halftime but made a string of errors that prevented them from putting the game out of reach.
Winger Chris Feauai-Sautia, scrumhalf Moses Sorovi, lock Izack Rodda and debutant prop Feao Fotuaika scored for the young Reds team, who showed improvement under second-year coach Brad Thorn.
The match was played at a high tempo and raged from end-to-end at times, but both sides were also guilty of patchy tackling, with Reds' captain Samu Kerevi and centre partner Jordan Petaia effective at breaking the Highlanders' line.
The hosts conceded an early penalty to Reds fullback Bryce Hegarty but were in command as they approached halftime with Frizell and Smith crossing within the space of four minutes to give them a 24-10 lead.
The Reds, however, struck back on the stroke of halftime as Kerevi and Petaia combined to give Sefa Naivalu space on the sideline before the winger's pass found Sorovi running a superb inside support line.
Frizell grabbed his second try following an attacking lineout shortly after the break but the Reds did not let the Highlanders get too far ahead as Rodda finished off a sweeping counter that started deep inside their own 22-metre area when Tei Walden dropped the ball.
An uncharacteristic error by All Blacks fullback Smith gave the Reds the field position they needed to hammer at the line with Fotuaika smashing over for his first try and Hegarty's conversion giving the Reds a 31-29 lead.
However, the Highlanders got their noses back in front to claim victory after a Matt Faddes break set up Hunt for his try.
(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
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