Otago won 54-25, scoring seven tries to three, to put itself right back into contention in the ITM Cup Championship.
The last time Otago notched 50-plus points was against North Harbour in Auckland in 2006.
Last night, it showed some real skills on attack, and cut through a North Harbour side which resembled a rabble by the end of the game.
The home team had a bonus point for scoring four tries within 35 minutes of the first half and, although North Harbour got within 10 points early in the second half, Otago saw off any worries and ran away with the game.
It was a good welcome home for the side after three games away from home, and not having scored any tries in its previous two games.
Otago coach Tony Brown was pleased with the attack in his side that led to some fine tries.
"When we get our attack going and can find some gaps on the outside then we can be dangerous. Our outside backs found some space on the outside but that all happened from the good work by our forwards up front," Brown said.
Otago looked a different side than the team belted by Counties-Manukau last Friday night and that had plenty to do with the return of All Black backs Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison.
Smith scored a nice try while Ellison showed plenty of classy touches and helped those both inside and outside him.
"Getting All Blacks back into this ITM Cup is massive for these young players.
"Just running off them and seeing what they do.
"We only had them for one training but you could see a lift in training and it gives them [younger players] a lift in confidence."
Brown said the side had made a couple of adjustments from the game last Friday night, being a bit more direct with the forward pack.
That certainly paid dividends for Otago as it got over the advantage line with plenty of ease throughout the match.
Best for Otago was flanker Gareth Evans, who helped himself to two tries.
His second try showed his athletic ability - running 50 metres and showing great determination to get over the line.
Backing him up was lock Tom Franklin, who got around the park.
Halfback Fumiaka Tanaka kept up his lightning delivery of ball from the base of the ruck and his box kicks were accurate.
First five-eighth Hayden Parker went off at halftime after twisting his knee and his injury will be assessed today.
North Harbour's ball handling, especially in the opening half, was nothing short of awful, and would have embarrassed an under-8 team, let alone a first-class outfitEvans was the first try-scorer for Otago after just five minutes, being at the heart of an Otago drive from a lineout 10m out.
Smith then made underlined the importance of his return to the blue and gold jersey by scoring the second try for Otago just five minutes later.
He benefited from a lovely inside ball from centre Ellison although it was well forward.
North Harbour tried to come back but could not hold on to the ball.
Otago then scored a nice try, winning a lineout, driving it up a couple of times, and giving the ball to winger Buxton Popoali'i, whose twinkling feet did the rest.
Three minutes later, Otago winger Marshall Suckling crossed - his first try for Otago - after Harbour dropped the ball, yet again, and Otago had numbers to spare after running the ball back.
ITM Cup
The scores
Otago 54
Gareth Evans 2, Ben Smith, Buxton Popoali'i, Marshall Suckling, Rob Verbakel, Glenn Dickson tries, Dickson 3 con, 2 pen, Hayden Parker 2 con, pen
North Harbour 25
Bryn Hall, Vili Fihale, Manu Leiataua tries, Hall 2 con, 2 pen
Halftime: 27-10
Crowd: 4500
