More than 2000 fans turned up to greet the conquerors returning from their raid on the Super Rugby cabinet at Wellington on Saturday night.
The Highlanders' 21-14 win over the Hurricanes should erase any demons lingering since the 24-19 loss to the Crusaders in the 1999 final at Carisbrook.
It will also help put the lid on many lean years in the latter half of the 2000s, when dwindling crowds, financial difficulties and poor results left some North Island pundits questioning the franchise's place in the competition.
Try telling that now to the thousands at the airport and many more who waited for the team bus to pass them on the way back to town yesterday morning.
Fans lined the road at Momona and Allanton with their flags flapping in bright sunshine, and a cluster of fans - including some in various states of undress - cheered the bus from the large Dunedin sign just east of Allanton.
A few more waited on the overbridges around Mosgiel, Saddle Hill and Fairfield to remind the Highlanders of their loyal support, and there was even a group of 15 or so near at the bottom of Caversham Valley Rd who cheered when they saw the bus come down the hill.
Week of festivities
A street parade in central Dunedin at noon today will keep the celebrations rolling on, Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull says.
''It'll be a week of festivities but we've got the big street parade [on Monday], which will give more of the community a chance to show how proud they are of the achievements of the team."
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark simply described the season and the welcome home as the ''ultimate''.
''It's been something that's been building for five years in my view and the boys have put it together this year,'' Mr Clark said.
He praised the efforts of so many fans to make the trip to Wellington for the final - be it by ferry, commercial airlines, chartered planes or helicopters.
''Most of them were at our hotel last night and they enjoyed every little minute of it,'' he said.
''It was unbelievable support. To see everyone back here today who couldn't make it up there, it's just been brilliant.''
Fairfield School pupils and best mates Jemaine Wheeler and Dylan Fleet (both 7) and their fathers Cory Wheeler and Matt Fleet were among the throngs of fans at the airport.
Mr Wheeler, like many Highlanders supporters, still had unfinished business from the Highlanders' loss to the Crusaders in the Super 12 final in 1999.
''I was there in 1999 and cried my eyes out,'' he said.
''It was the same last night, too, but for different reasons.''
City's welcome parade
• Highlanders leave outside Dental School at noon
• Led by Kaikorai Brass band down George St on the back of utes
• Welcomed by mayor in Octagon about 12.15pm.
