The NSW Waratahs have stunned the Highlanders, coming away with the 32-20 win in Dunedin.
Darren Coleman's men started strong, responding to a quick Highlanders try via Will Harris.
However, they were given a gift opportunity when Sam Gilbert was sent off for an ugly cleanout on Michael Hooper.
Tries to Mark Nawaqanitawase and Hooper allowed the visitors to build a commanding 19-7 lead at the break.
Whilst the Highlanders hit back through Scott Gregory, Darren Coleman's men showed the fight that has typified their revival, with Edmed booting two penalties and crossing for a try to seal the win.
It was their first victory against New Zealand opposition across the Tasman since 2015.
The victory took the Waratahs (8-5) ahead of the Queensland Reds and into sixth on the ladder.
They face a clash with the ladder-leading Blues back in Sydney on Saturday as the last round determines the top eight finals.
The Highlanders couldn't have started better with lock Josh Dickson barging across the line in the third minute after an early turnover.
NSW hit back eight minutes later when No.8 Harris showed some deft footwork to plant the ball between the sticks for a 7-7 scoreline.
The game took a turn in the 29th minute when Highlanders five-eighth Gilbert was sent off for an ugly lifting tackle in which Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper was up-ended.
The Wallabies captain was making his return to play from concussion but escaped unscathed.
The visitors immediately used their numerical advantage with a long, floating pass finding winger Mark Nawaqanitawase to score.
Then Hooper showed his pace to dart from the back of a ruck, running 20 metres to score and give his team a commanding 19-7 halftime lead.
The Waratahs lost prop Paddy Ryan to a yellow card early in the second half for a head knock as he attempted to clean out.
With Waratahs fullback Ben Donaldson spilling an Aaron Smith kick, the Highlanders pounced on the loose ball and used the extra space to put centre Scott Gregory over in the corner.
After a previous penalty strike the margin was just four points with the home side on the march.
But the Waratahs refused to wilt under pressure and five-eighth Tane Edmed kept the scoreboard ticking over with two penalties.
Playing his first game since his return from Japan, forward Ned Hanigan shrugged off the defence and then off-loaded to Edmed for the Waratahs' fourth try.
NSW attempted to chase another try after regulation time to secure a bonus point, but turned the ball over for Liam Coombes-Fabling to have the final say for the Highlanders.
WARATAHS 32
TRIES: Harris, Nawaqanitawase, Hooper, Edmed
CONS: Edmed 3/4
PENS: Edmed 2/3
HIGHLANDERS 20
TRIES: Dickson, Gregory,
CONS: Gilbert 1/1, Banks 0/1
PENS: Banks 1/1
Highlanders: 15 Connor Garden-Bachop, 14 Denny Solomona, 13 Josh Timu, 12 Scott Gregory, 11 Rory van Vugt, 10 Sam Gilbert, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Hugh Renton, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 James Lentjes, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Sam Caird, 3 Saula Ma'u, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Luca Inch, 18 Josh Hohneck, 19 Max Hicks, 20 Marino Mikaele Tu'u 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Marty Banks, 23 Liam Coombes-Fabling
Waratahs: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Langi Gleeson, 5 Hugh Sinclair, 4 Geoff Cridge, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Te Tera Faulkner
Replacements: 16 Mahe Vailanu, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Ned Hanigan, 21 Charlie Gamble, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Jamie Roberts
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill & Angus Mabey
