Canterbury put in a complete performance to blow Waikato off the AMI Stadium pitch with a 46-13 victory on Friday night.
The five-tries-to-one win gave Canterbury five championship points and briefly sent the Red and Blacks to the top of the points table.
Waikato had little answer to the dominant display by the forwards, well led by captain George Whitelock, Kieran Read and Wyatt Crockett, or the backs, who were marshalled brilliantly by Dan Carter, who scored 19 points.
Tyson Keats, Tim Bateman and Colin Slade scored first-half tries.
Keats' came after he forced his way over the line from a ruck.
The second was set up by Carter, who dummied to Bateman but hit Slade with a brilliant pass - the fullback running clean through the defence on the angle and passing to the supporting Bateman.
For the third try, wing Sean Maitland's dummy run held the inside defence sufficiently for Slade to receive Bateman's pass and crash over the line.
With Carter continuing to kick penalties - he collected five all up - the scoreboard ticked over quickly to 29-6 at halftime.
In the second half, Waikato struck back with a try to lock Romana Graham, converted by Callum Bruce, but the respite was brief for them.
Prop Wyatt Crockett received a brilliant pass from Keats and charged through to run 20m and score.
And then fellow prop Andrew Olorenshaw, a replacement, stepped through a gap in the defence and passed to substitute back Adam Whitelock who scored.
Several players made their debuts, with coaches Rob Penney and Tabai Matson clearing the reserves bench.
Will Catherwood replaced hooker Ti'i Paulo, halfback Willi Heinz replaced Keats and Matt Todd came on for Read.
It was an outstanding performance from Canterbury, who will be looking for more great things in their next match against Tasman at AMI Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The ruthless, clinical way in which Waikato were finished off bodes well for the rest of the season. And this was a good Waikato team which included current All Blacks hooker Aled de Malmanche and halfback Brendon Leonard.
Coach Penney said: "We're delighted with that win. We've been slowly improving throughout our three games so far this season and you saw another improvement tonight."
Canterbury - Tries: Tyson Keats, Tim Bateman, Colin Slade, Wyatt Crockett, Adam Whitelock. Cons: Dan Carter (2), Slade. Pens: Carter (5).
Waikato - Try: Romana Graham. Con: Callum Bruce. Pens: Bruce (2).
HT: Canterbury 29-6.
Canterbury:
1. Wyatt Crockett (17. Andrew Olorenshaw 60min)
2. Ti'i Paulo (16. Will Catherwood 70min)
3. Peter Borlase
4. Sam Whitelock
5. James Broadhurst
6. Michael Paterson (19. Matt Todd 67min)
7. George Whitelock (c)
8. Kieran Read (18. Mike Coman 64min)
9. Tyson Keats (20. Willi Heinz 70min)
10. Dan Carter (22. Adam Whitelock 70min)
11. James Paterson
12. Ryan Crotty (21. Stephen Brett 54min)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Sean Maitland
15. Colin Slade