 The Highlanders ( known as the Pulse Energy Highlanders for sponsorship reasons and formerly known as the Otago Highlanders ) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby . The team represents the North Otago , Otago and Southland unions . The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that helped found the Otago , North Otago , and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s . Their main ground through the 2011 Super Rugby season was Carisbrook in Dunedin , with home games occasionally being played in Invercargill and Queenstown . The Highlanders moved into Carisbrook 's replacement , Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza , for the 2012 season ; the stadium opened in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup , but after the Super Rugby season . 
