Thousands turn out to welcome home All Blacks

A raucous crowd in Auckland welcomed home the victorious All Blacks under a spring sun today, and none were as happy as Ruatoria fan Kuratiwaka Ngarimu.

The team that successfully became the first in the world to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups spent half an hour signing autographs, taking photos with fans and shaking hands in Victoria Park today.

All Blacks fans at the homecoming for the team after winning the Rugby World Cup. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A crowd of approximately 25,000 people turned out at noon despite heavy rain throughout the morning. The clouds moved away from the city and just before the All Blacks arrived the sun came out for the entire event.

Students from Auckland Grammar, Auckland Girls' Grammar and Mt Albert Grammar performed a moving haka for the team, and Sol3 Mio performed official All Blacks song I See Fire.

Kuratiwaka's mother Vanessa Ngarimu posted a video of him giving a shout out to his favourite player Nehe Milner-Skudder ahead of the team playing in the final last weekend.

The boy said in the video, which has been watched over 150,000 times on Facebook, that Milner-Skudder was his idol and promised his mother would bake him a cake if he came to Ruatoria.

Kuratiwaka was brought onto the stage in Victoria Park and brought with him a chocolate cake decorated with "#meanage", a word he used in the video to describe Milner-Skudder's rugby skills.

Among the crowds in Victoria Park were many families with young children who were missing a day of school to see the team.

Mount Albert Grammar School student perform a haka. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Katrina Tanner brought her two sons Elijah, 10, and Liam, 3 along for the event

"To me there wasn't a choice, it's sporting history in the making," Mrs Tanner said.

"You can't help but get swept up in the euphoria of it."

Mrs Tanner said she decided to take Elijah out of school because he hadn't had many absences throughout the year.

"I told his teacher straight that this is why he wouldn't be at school ... She was a little surprised I think, but okay about it."

Hundreds of fans had arrived at the park with signs, shirts and rugby balls they wanted to get signed by players, but Shelley Brockelsby and daughter Paige, 19, had something different: their tickets to the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham.

"It was an amazing game. We didn't go over with tickets to the final, we had tickets to the quarter final and we were watching some sites deciding what to do," Mrs Brockelsby said.

Maa Nonu and Jerome Kaino show off the William Webb Ellis Cup. Photo / Jason Oxenham

In the end, the family decided to buy four of the best tickets available.

"It was incredible, just an amazing vibe," Paige said.

"After the game they did a parade around the stadium, and you could really sense their pride."

Mrs Brockelsby said: "We couldn't get close to them at all at Twickenham. So we are hopeful we will today."

They were thrilled to end up getting a number of players to sign their tickets.

Two students had made a big effort to show their support for the All Blacks, despite having to sit exams tomorrow.

University students Jaimee Gibbons and Trixie-Lee Grey, both 18, are among the legions of fans who have turned out to see the All Blacks.

The two friends were also at the airport to see the men in black early this morning.

Sonny Bill Williams charms a young All Blacks fan at the victory parade. Photo / Nick Reed

"That meant a 4 o'clock start for us," Jaimee said.

"But we don't care, we just want to see them and show we're proud."

Both have exams tomorrow, but have decided to put last-minute studying aside.

"It's gonna be the last time we see some of them and it's emotional," Trixie-Lee said.

Daniel Carter stops to take a photo with fans. Photo / Nick Reed

"The atmosphere at the airport was so special - people were singing the national anthem and Maori songs. I got teary. We couldn't miss the parade."

On stage, the departing five players spoke to the audience. Richie McCaw said the whole team were happy to be home and see the fans.

"Seeing you all here has made it all worthwhile," he said.

"No better feeling than being able to hold that cup up again. And to do it twice in a row, I know we've probably annoyed a lot of teams around the world, but getting back here has made it all worthwhile," he said.

Ma'a Nonu said the support from the fans is what he would miss most after hanging up his All Blacks jersey.

"I've loved every moment of being an All Black," he said.

Dan Carter said "pretty much the same as Ma'a"'.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and coach Steve Hansen enjoy the reaction of the fans at the homecoming celebrations. Photo / Jason Oxenham

"You fans are amazing? It's going to be sad to think I'm not going to be playing for the All Blacks, but it's been a fantastic time and I've loved every minute of it."

Coach Steve Hansen told the crowd: "It's an honour and a privilege just to be part of the All Blacks, but to put a smile on so many people's faces is an even bigger honour and a privilege."

He added: "Hopefully we've made you proud.

Fans are expected to line the streets as the All Blacks parade through Wellington and Christchurch over the next two days.

The team touched down in Auckland this morning, with thousands of fans flocking to the airport and Victoria Park wearing the colour of the day: black.

A street parade through Christchurch is next on the list, with the All Blacks heading to the city tomorrow morning.

Then it's Wellington's turn, with thousands expected to turn out for their ticker-tape parade on Friday.

The details of the parade have now been finalised, Wellington City Council's event operations manager Simon Perry said.

And fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the team are being advised to take their places along the parade route early.

"If the last world cup parade is anything to go by, there'll be big crowds along the parade route," Mr Perry said.

"Adults should remember to let the kids line the front so everyone gets a good view."

An 11.30am welcome at parliament will be followed by the parade, kicking off at midday, through the city to Civic Square where the team will be met by Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

Streets leading on to the route - from Lambton Quay to Willis St and Mercer St - will be closed gradually from 10am onwards, with public transport disruptions and traffic diversions in place.

"If you want to get across town, the best bet is to take the motorway or stick to the waterfront. These journeys are likely to take longer so people should leave extra time for travel," Perry said.

Fans in Christchurch will also see the All Blacks at a street parade before a public reception is held in Carlton Mill Corner, North Hagley Park.

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the city would turn on a heroes' welcome tomorrow.

"I was inundated with requests for a homecoming parade from the moment the final whistle blew," she said.

"I remember an All Blacks coach saying that the All Blacks wasn't a team of champions, it was a champion team and we will welcome them as a team who have done us proud."

Here come the men in black

Thursday - Christchurch

2.30pm: Parade begins at the corner of Rolleston Ave and Hereford St. Continues along Rolleston Ave and Park Terrace concluding before the Bealey Ave intersection. See tfc.govt.nz for road closures.
3.15pm: Mayoral welcome and public reception in Carlton Mill Corner, North Hagley Park.

Friday - Wellington

11.30am: Welcome at parliament, with parade kicking off at 12pm on Lambton Quay. Continues along Willis St and Mercer St before concluding at Civic Square. Additional train services will be running and bus services will be diverted, as well as traffic, so plan extra time for your journey. Traffic diversions will also be put in place in Taranaki St, Manners St and lower Cuba St.

1pm: Event at Civic Square, expected to wrap up by 1.30pm.