Moore was yesterday handed a three-year extension to his contract, a day after he learned highly-regarded Hawkes Bay coach Peter Russell was heading to Dunedin to join his coaching team.
For some, the extension may be seen as premature, considering Moore's record (three wins and eight losses) in his debut year was less than sparkling.
But most accept the former North Otago coach did enough with a team shorn of elite talent and experience to justify the show of faith.
His ability to keep a Highlanders side packed with journeymen and cast-offs competitive was impressive, and he unearthed new Super 14 talent in Fetu'u Vainikolo and Clint Newland.
Moore said he was utterly committed to the franchise and security of tenure meant a lot in terms of building a successful team.
"I'm pretty excited. To be offered an extension was very pleasing," Moore said from Auckland last night.
"I'm excited about what we've got happening in the franchise. We still recognise we've got a big task ahead but we made progress this year and we intend to make more progress next year."
Continuity is the message being preached by the Highlanders, who have not played in a semifinal since 2002 and have finished eighth or worse in each of the last five seasons.
It is a sensible approach for the franchise to give its rookie coach and most of its players more time to make an impact on the Super 14.
"You can't do much on a one-off hit. To get success you've got to have continuity and players developing and learning to operate under pressure," Moore said.
"I'm delighted we're retaining players and I'm confident we'll see them grow again next year."
Even with a memorable final-round win over the Crusaders in Christchurch, the Highlanders finished 11th this year.
"We certainly won't be happy with the status quo. We want to turn close losses into wins and move up the table."
Moore also believes the Highlanders can only get stronger by strengthening ties between the unions within the franchise.
Most are tipping him to back that assertion by picking more players from the successful Southland team than from a poor Otago team that finished 10th.
Moore replaced Greg Cooper at the Highlanders after previously being assistant coach of Otago.
He also coached North Otago for five years, during which time he took it from the old third division to the top four of the second.
He also coached the Divisional XV for three years.
If Moore sees out his new contract, he will join Cooper as the longest-serving Highlanders coach.
Highlanders chief executive Richard Reid said he was thrilled Moore and the New Zealand Rugby Union, which owns each of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises, had reached agreement on a contract.
"Continuity of coaches as well as players is crucial to the building of a team and this is great news for the Highlanders," Reid said.
