Halfback TJ Perenara celebrated his 100th match for the Hurricanes in style at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night as they defeated the Highlanders 29-12.

The 13th Hurricanes player to reach the mark for the club, Perenara was instrumental in the victory as he had arguably his most influential match of the 2019 Investec Super Rugby season to date.

Up against All Blacks team-mate Aaron Smith, Perenara lifted his game at key moments of a tight tussle to make sure he could mark the occasion in the best way possible.

There was little between the two sides for much of what was a tense match played in slippery conditions but the difference in the end was the Hurricanes ability to finish off the chances they created in spectacular fashion.

None more so than replacement wing Vince Aso's acrobatic finish after he combined with fullback Jordie Barrett to score a crucial try for the Hurricanes in the second half.

Fellow wing Ben Lam also showed his finishing ability, firstly by powering over in the tightest of quarters to score in the first half, before he was equally impressive in dotting down a second time to give the home side some much needed breathing space.

The win, the Hurricanes second over New Zealand opposition, puts them in a prime position on the conference table, a point behind defending champions the Crusaders but with a game in hand.

While it would be easy to concentrate on the tremendous work done out wide by the wings, there was also valuable contributions across the board for the Hurricanes.

First five-eighth Beauden Barrett got things started when he showed his class to lift the ball with his foot up into his hands before scampering away to open the scoring.

There was also a significant highlight in a period of open play when veteran prop Ben May saved a certain try by covering across to take the ball on the ground and into touch.

Combine those moments with the accurate work done at set piece and through the midfield by Ngani Laumape and the Hurricanes appear to building nicely as they prepare to cross the Tasman to meet the table topping Rebels who remain unbeaten after their emphatic win over the Sharks on Friday night.

Saturday night, however, belonged to TJ Perenara who praised the support he received from many of his family in attendance as well as his team-mates and the coaching staff who he said he would continue to work for as hard as he could through the 2018 season and beyond.

Hurricanes 29 (Ben Lam 2, Beauden Barrett, Vince Aso tries; Beauden Barrett 3 cons, Jordie Barrett pen) Highlanders 12 (Waisake Naholo 2 tries; Lima Sopoaga con).