Fans Welcome America's Cup Trophy with Silver Fern Flags

Fans turned out in droves, from all over the country, to welcome the victorious Team NZ. From kids taking days off school, to young women armed with marriage proposals, to those who remembered previous parades.

Here are their stories.

Holly Linstead, 7, Barbara Davies, Lucy Rankin, 4, and Kim Davies.  Photo / Grant Chapman

Kim Davies from Mt Eden in Auckland travelled to support Team New Zealand at Valencia in 2007. She brought her daughters Holly Linstead, 7, and Lucy Rankin, 4, to the parade to carry on that tradition. Her mother, Barbara Davies from Takapuna on the North Shore was also there.
The family got up early to watch every race. "I like Peter Burling but remember seeing boat builders working through the night so really admire them too," Kim Davies said.

Eliezer Peehikuru, 9, and Micah Peehikuru, 12, waving a special edition of Kyle Lockwood's Silver Fern Flag during the parade. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Eliezer, 9, and Micah, 12, were on Queen Street early for the parade. Their parents, Maika and Melissa Peehikuru, also brought along baby Eliana, who turns 1 next month. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," their dad said. "We came mostly for the kids to see the cup and just be part of history..."

1995 and 2017 flags. Photo / Grant Chapman

Fans waiting for the arrival of Team NZ to Market Square. Photo / Dean Purcell

Team New Zealand holding onto the silverware. Photo / Jason Oxenham

​Team NZ helmsmen Pete Burling says the screaming crowds were "unreal" to come home to.
"It's been a whole heap of hard work for our team and it feels pretty special to bring it home."
His parents Heather and Richard Burling were at the Viaduct to cheer on their son. "It's unbelievable what they've done, what the team's done," Richard told Tony Veitch.

Peter Burling and his Emirates Team New Zealand paraded along Auckland's Queen St with the Auld Mug before taking to the harbour. It is the first time since 1995 that the America's Cup has landed on New Zealand shores and fans were keen to welcome the cup home.

The crowd's excitement was palpable as the athletes and trophy sailed past, with screams and cheers. Other boaties showed their support, waving New Zealand and Silver Fern flags from the decks of their yachts.

Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton earlier confirmed to the crowd they'll be heading to Wellington on Tuesday, Christchurch on Wednesday and Dunedin on Thursday. And it doesn't stop there.

He said they will make sure, in conjunction with their sponsors, they'll tour the cup to the provincial centres, saying "the heartland of New Zealand where the real people live. Dates for the heartland tour are still be be confirmed.

"Some of us are old enough to remember 1995 and how amazing that was, Dalton said.

6 Jul, 2017 3:31pm   New Zealand Herald