He came out of the coma in the next week and has steadily recovered since then.
Wearing dark sunglasses, a jacket and jeans, Mr Holmes was accompanied by wife Deborah Hamilton-Holmes yesterday.
He descended the plane's steps with assistance from a flight attendant and gave a brief wave as he moved slowly at his wife's side to the waiting car.
Such was the low-key nature of his return to Hawke's Bay, several passengers on the plane said they had no idea he had flown with them.
Mr Holmes previously told the Herald he was "a bit scared" about the operation but had confidence in the team working on him at Auckland City Hospital.
"This is a biggie, but I have every confidence in the team here," he said.
"We will get through."
Mr Holmes has also been positive about the long-term prognosis, including a return to work as a Newstalk ZB and TVNZ host and Weekend Herald columnist.
A statement on behalf of Mr Holmes and his wife, released by Newstalk ZB after he was placed in a coma, thanked the public for their support.
"The family have been reading Paul the many amazing letters and emails received from the public and want to thank people once again for their support," it said.
Kerre Woodham, filling in for Mr Holmes on his Saturday morning radio show, told listeners last weekend of the support and encouragement he had given her in the early stages of her broadcasting career. She wished him well in his recovery.