The Warriors have put the NRL on notice, booking a finals spot with a clinical seven-try 36-4 romp over the Brisbane Broncos at a near-capacity Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night.
The game was over at half time after the Warriors piled on five first-half tries to Manu Vatuvei, a Lewis Brown double, Simon Mannering and Lance Hohaia which saw the home side lead 24-0.
Complete dominance of field position and ball control meant the visitors never got a look in, which thrilled a passionate and vocal 21,617 Auckland crowd.
The confident victory sealed a return to finals football for the Warriors, who finished 14th last year. Their enterprising style surprised all but the result paid tribute to retiring veteran Steve Price and his successor, Sam Rapira in his 100th match.
After three losses in a row, the out-of-form Broncos, who missed a staggering 31 tackles, are in danger of missing the finals for the first time in 19 years.
They desperately missed star playmaker Darren Lockyer and their season will be decided in a winner-takes-all match against Canberra next week with the victor likely to sneak into the top eight.
Brett Seymour's bomb saw Manu Vatuvei leap over the top of Jharal Yow Yeh to claim the opening try – his 18th of the season in 17 matches. James Maloney missed the conversion from wide out.
On the back of a second repeat set, back-rower Lewis Brown easily coasted past Lockyer's stand-in Corey Norman for the home side's second four-pointer. Maloney again failed to convert.
Hooker Aaron Heremaia's cross-field chip was the catalyst for the Warriors' third try. Vatuvei picked it up, drew his opposite while off loading to Jerome Ropati (a late swap for Joel Moon), who sent Brown over for a double. This time Maloney added the extras as his side went out to a 14-0 lead.
Enjoying a 70-30 possession advantage, the Warriors were cutting the Broncos to pieces and captain Simon Mannering extended the lead 10 minutes shy of the interval. However, Maloney missed his third conversion.
Centre Brent Tate, playing his last game in Auckland, busted down the right and threw a long-ball back infield that Lance Hohaia collected to stroll under the bar. Maloney slotted from infront for a 24-0 half time lead.
Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace did not return after suffering a shoulder injury.
Hohaia produced a sensational individual bust up the middle, beating three defenders and finishing with a chip and regather over Broncos fullback Josh Hoffman. Maloney converted for a 30-0 advantage.
After hammering away at the Broncos' line, second phase footy saw replacement prop Ben Matulino charge over and Maloney slotted the extras.
Yow Yeh got a late consolation try for the visitors.
New Zealand Warriors 36
Tries: Hohaia 2, Brown 2, Vatuvei, Mannering, Matulino
Conversions: Maloney 4
Brisbane Broncos 4
Tries: Yow Yeh