Hilary Barry is all geared up to cheer on the Black Caps. Photo / Supplied
Hilary Barry is all geared up to cheer on the Black Caps. Photo / Supplied
TV3 newsreader - Mike McRoberts
Two moments from the semifinal win sum up what I love about the Black Caps. First, the courage and belief of Grant Elliott to smack the second-to-last ball of the innings for six to win the match and second, just minutes later, when he held out his hand to help up a distraught Dale Steyn. It's one thing to win, it's another to do it with such grace and humility. Go the Black Caps, you're already winners!
TV3 newsreader - Hilary Barry
Mind that Aussie sledging. Don't eat any catering from anyone called Suzie. Have fun and remember, you've already made us proud. Go The Black Caps!!!!
What advice can I possibly give to the Black Caps? Believe in yourselves? You already do! Enjoy every, magic moment of it? You already are! Do your best? You already have been! So, what I'd like to say, as a life-long cricket fan, is cherish this day. You've already done us proud, and you've already done yourselves proud. This country admires you, full stop.
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'The Bachelor' - Arthur Green
Give it your best. We are all behind you. Bring it home, boys.
New Zealand First leader - Winston Peters
Remember how you got to this point. Alert and committed team work and backing up your teammates. If you do this just one more time you will give us a day that you and all of us back home will never forget. All the best.
Labour Party leader - Andrew Little
Photo / Peter Meecham
Winning is about focus, about fighting and about optimism. It's about never, ever giving up. You've shown us that you're winners and you'll show us again. The hearts of 4 million Kiwis are out there with you today. Play a blinder.
One News presenter - Wendy Petrie
Photo / Doug Sherring
Win or lose, you are already our heroes, lads. You have lifted our nation's spirits and taken us along on your incredible dream ride, even those of us who didn't watch cricket all that much. Get out there and do what you do best. You know you can do this and we are with you all the way.
Radio Sport host - Martin Devlin
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Dear Lads, Remember that skinny little kid way back when playing backyard cricket and pretending every slog into Mum's washingline was the winning runs in a World Cup Final? Well if you find that wee boy again today, if you play with the same love and hope and freedom he had, if you truly believe you're here today because you've proven you deserve to be, then seize this moment and become the hero you've always dreamed he'd be.
Olympic silver medal-winning - BMX rider Sarah Walker
Something I always get told when I go out to compete is to have fun and just do your best. If they perform their best, then no matter what happens they can be proud of themselves and New Zealand will be proud of them.
Entertainer - Jason Gunn
I've been dreaming big ever since the tournament started - a few days in, I booked tickets for me and my son to be at the final so I could watch us bring it back. I had this vision it would go this well for us and I know they're going to do it. What gets me is when you hear them talk in the interviews, they are just like your neighbour. They are so typical New Zealand, and then they go and beat the rest of the world. We are a part of something very special when our team is playing this well.
Olympic shot put champion - Valerie Adams
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I've now become a cricket fan. NOW smash them Aussies! Be proud guys and enjoy the occasion!
Shortland Street star - Ria Vandervis
Photo / Doug Sherring
Hang in there boys, you've got this. Guptill - get another double century. When you think you've got a huge mountain to climb ahead of you, just remember to break it down into little pieces and tackle one piece at a time.
Prime Minister - John Key
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Like all New Zealanders, I'm immensely proud of the Black Caps and how they're playing. Tonight is the biggest match of them all. Win or lose, Brendon McCullum and the boys will know they've made New Zealand proud. They deserve to bring home the trophy and I know they'll give it everything.
Actor - Will Hall
Congratulations on making history and doing New Zealand proud. They've played such an exciting brand of cricket and McCullum has changed the way the game is played. Any one of those guys can step up and win the game. You've done us proud and now you've got a shot at the title. How good is that?
Labour MP - Jacinda Ardern
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An MP in parliament [on Wednesday] confessed that she'd fallen asleep during the semifinal and I haven't heard a sharper intake of breath in my life. As the most inept sporting person out there, I am constantly in awe of their achievements. Despite all the pressure, I hope they get to enjoy themselves because
it's a massive, massive thing that they're there in the first place.
Former All Blacks' coach - Sir Graham Henry
They don't need to be told anything. They're in good shape, they're playing to their potential, everybody's performing, they've got a great culture, everybody's very supportive of each other. All they need to do is go out and perform and they know that. They're in good shape. They're in superb order mentally and they'll do their best. That's all you can ask. [Their World Cup has been] outstanding. Special, very special.
Former caddy - Steve Williams
The final is your time to shine. The Black Caps are the best team and each individual should wake this morning with the belief that you are the best. Regardless of whatever obstacles you face today at the MCG, you are going to dig deep and win the World Cup. Good luck. The nation is behind you.
I think that game on Tuesday was possibly the greatest sporting match I have ever watched. In terms of what they've already done I think they're absolute legends. They represent themselves so well as a team. They've already done so much and I'd just say go out there, enjoy it and bloody win it.
Musician Jordan Luck wrote a chant for the team
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Kia Kaha, Go hard, Be Strong" (in the tune of G). He added: "Sometimes your message is stronger in song . . . you might not know what to say but you know what to sing.
