Hundreds of Magpies fans have packed the Hawke's Bay Airport terminal this afternoon to welcome back the Ranfurly Shield.
The team arrived back in the Bay at 12.40pm to rowdy cheers and chants of "Come on the Bay".
The biggest cheer came when Hawke's Bay captain Mike Coman walked through the gates first with the famous Log'O Wood.
The most coveted prize in New Zealand rugby returns after the 20-19 victory against Otago in Dunedin yesterday evening.
Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Mike Bishop said: "44 years is a long time to wait for an old friend to return."