What wonderful news Dunedin's historic 113-year-old courthouse will remain the centre of justice in the South.
Cabinet's decision to restore and strengthen the building, announced by Minister of Justice and Courts Amy Adams on Monday, ensured its long-term future.
Euphoria followed from the legions of people who spoke up on the issue.
There are a few points, however, that need to be noted even as that euphoria continues.
First is that Ms Adams never publicly said the building would be sold, abandoned or demolished.
At every step she said it was her intention, desire and expectation the building would be restored and have court services returned to it.
On Monday, armed with a business case carrying a hefty bill for an area of the country not overrun with right-leaning voters, Ms Adams entered a Cabinet meeting.
Several hours later she walked out with the news the courthouse would be restored.
Cabinet is a sanctum, so one can only imagine how the decision was formed.
But whatever narrative you draw, the ending is the same. Ms Adams delivered, and she deserves plaudits.
The second point deals with parochialism.
It would be easy to think the courthouse victory was simply the result of a tipping point, where parochial noise and sentiment outweighed the desires of a government to save costs.
Perhaps there's truth in that. Certainly, many people involved in the push to keep the pressure on the Government believe there is.
But it should be kept in mind the argument to save the courthouse, as Dunedin barrister Anne Stevens said on Monday, had reason on its side.
It is a complex purpose-built to administer justice.
It is close to law firms and the city's central police station.
Its design, both inside and out, encapsulates the podium justice must stand upon in a high-functioning democracy.
It is loved by the legal community.
It has a long history of landmark decisions being made in its courtrooms.
Many of our country's biggest legal names had their graduation photos taken in or outside that courthouse.
Whether the cited $15 million figure for the restoration ends up being necessary or not, it is still a small amount of money to retain and future-proof such an asset.
Which is why Dunedin should not just credit parochialism with this victory.
While there might be pessimism in the provinces, Dunedin has reasons for optimism with signs of an economic revival.
It is not languishing.
It is not rolling over.
It is not to be forgotten.
As Dunedin's resurgence grows, the city needs to remember its worth.
Draw a line in the sand showing where it aspires to be, where it is heading, and demand the Government respect that line.
The courthouse has been "saved'' not just because of parochial campaigning, but because saving it was the correct decision.
Because ours is a city deserving of such an asset.
Dunedin is near the bottom of the country.
It has a relatively small voter base.
But that is separate from whether an argument is right or wrong.
Because being a long way south of Wellington shouldn't matter.
Being right, being passionate, and being energised to see Dunedin as it believes it should be, does.
Anne Stevens understood that.
So did David Benson-Pope, Aaron Hawkins, Mark Henaghan and the other tireless campaigners who fought for the courthouse.
No matter what was said behind Cabinet's doors on Monday, this result shows the Government understood that as well.
Long may this continue.
Now, it is time for reason to prevail for the Dunedin Hospital rebuild.
