Herden lifted the Meads Cup on Saturday after his side beat Wanganui 39-18 at Whitestone Contracting Stadium in Oamaru, after leading 17-13 at the break.
North Otago scored six tries to two and thoroughly deserved its victory against a subdued Wanganui side.
Herden said after the game the side had peaked well for the season and created a great culture.
"It's been a lot of hard work. We've brought a lot of guys together and through some good work from the coaches and the management we've managed to create a great culture. There are some new boys and some not so new but everyone has come together and worked really hard," he said.
"Winning like that really makes it all worthwhile."
Herden said some of the players were capable of playing at the next level and would relish the opportunity to train fulltime and play the game professionally.
"But in saying that, we're fresh when we come to training, and playing the game. We only train Tuesday and Thursdays, so maybe with having to work gives us that balance. It takes your mind away from rugby."
Herden said North Otago never panicked after conceding a try in the early stages and it backed itself to get back into the game.
"I think it comes down to fitness and systems. They tested our defence today but I thought it stood up well and we had trust in our defence. There was the odd time when we probably went in too much to turn the ball over but that was all part of our game."
It was Herden's second title with North Otago, after he was part of the side which won the third division in 2002.
As for coming back next year, the 33-year-old Southern midfielder said he was unsure at this stage and would have to check family commitments, but he had thoroughly enjoyed the year.
North Otago coach Barry Matthews said while the second-half domination sealed the win, the ability to take chances in the first half was the key to his side's victory.
The home side played into the breeze in the first 40 minutes.
"We took our opportunities in the first half and that was important. We only got into their 22m four times in the first half and scored three times and probably should have scored the other," he said.
"Last week we had a lot of ball and couldn't finish off but this week we managed to get the tries."
Matthews paid credit to all 22 players in the squad, and the work at trainings in the past few weeks where the side had concentrated on being strong in the contact area.
That had paid dividends on Saturday.
"The defensive effort from the guys were excellent and they really got stuck into Wanganui, not giving them much time."
Matthews was not sure whether he would be back next year, but said he had had a great time this year.
Wanganui coach Guy Lennox said his side was poor throughout and the match was its worst performance in the past two years.
He paid credit to North Otago but said his side was flat, had no passion and was well beaten in the set piece.
