The Crusaders went top of the Super Rugby standings following a 33-13 triumph over the Highlanders in Christchurch on Friday.
The champions of the last three seasons ran in three tries inside the opening 26 minutes and had secured a bonus point before half-time.
Codie Taylor, Tom Christie, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge all went over, with Michael Collins' effort and a Josh Ioane penalty all the Highlanders had to show for their first-half efforts.
The Highlanders trailed 26-8 at the interval and their cause was not helped by Shannon Frizell's sin-binning six minutes into the second half for a tip-tackle on Ennor.
They were still the next to score through Jona Nareki, but Sione Havili dotted down for the Crusaders' fifth try six minutes from time to cap a comfortable victory.