New Zealand claimed a place in the World Cup finals for the first time in 27 years with a stunning 1-0 win over Bahrain in front of more than 35,000 fans at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
After a night of celebration, the team was cheered on yesterday as it joined the Wellington Santa parade.
Hundreds of wellwishers lined the streets to see the new stars.
New Zealand Football chief executive Michael Glading last week said a win would generate between $US8 million ($NZ11.07 million) and $US10 million ($NZ13.84 million), but would not say how the pot would be split.
However, the New Zealand Professional Footballers' Association confirmed the players would get a cut.
Speaking after the game, Herbert said he hoped the money would be used to promote the game better than it had been in 1982.
"They better spend the money right, because we're not going down that pathway again, surely," he said.
"We've waited 27 years to resurrect something that's incredibly important to all of us; incredibly important to players, to the public, to the kids."
Herbert was unsure how the money would be divided, but said there needed to be serious deliberation about where it went.
"There are kids out there that need to be supported.
We need to roll that forward in a very productive way so we become a country that's a regular at these events," he said.
"This may be an opportunity to invest a little bit as well in the futures of some talented young players."
New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum said yesterday the board would waste no time in planning its next moves on the road to South Africa.
"We are running the game as a business. We already have a plan. This [the bonus of World Cup qualification] does not change a lot as we continue to work towards growing the game," van Hattum said.
Van Hattum has already held preliminary talks with Wellington Phoenix boss Terry Serepisos in an effort to have Herbert join him in South Africa for the December 4 draw.
Herbert has been juggling both roles and faces a busy time with the Phoenix pre-Christmas as it continues its run at the A-League play-offs.
"It is important that Ricki is at the draw as there is a lot to be done once the names come out of the hat and you know where you are going to be playing," van Hattum said.
"Once we know which teams are in our group we can start looking at other teams as likely opposition in warm-up matches."
There is a Fifa window for international friendlies in February, but it is only a short one and is unlikely to be of much use to New Zealand, as moving European-based players would be difficult and at odds with their club commitments.
"While we would obviously like to have the All Whites play again back here, it might prove to be too big a hurdle to try and get the players back for such a short time," van Hattum said.
"Just as it could be too hard to get the Phoenix and other New Zealand-based players to Europe and back."
Southern officials are confident New Zealand Football will not let another golden opportunity to grow the sport slip through its fingers.
Footballsouth chairman Aaron Joy and Otago United coach Malcolm Fleming are optimistic there will be no repeat of the flat years that followed the remarkable 1982 campaign.
Both hope the financial boost that will be generated by the qualification will be poured into the development of football at the grassroots level.
"New Zealand football is on a new and exciting path," Joy said.
"I don't think we've ever witnessed anything like it in this country. There is no question football in New Zealand is going to benefit.
"Millions of dollars will pour into the coffers of New Zealand Football and hopefully some of that will get spread around the regions.
"I'd like to see money being put into the development of players and into coaches and administrators as well."
Like Joy, Fleming hopes World Cup qualification translates into hard currency for grassroots football.
"I'd like to see the eight federations get lump sums. Then it will be up to them to use the money wisely," Fleming said.
"It's especially important we help out at junior level. There are a lot of kids having to raise big dollars for trips away or even for things like uniform hire. That's crazy and that should change."
