Christchurch parade following All Blacks victory

Christchurch residents will have the chance to share in Rugby World Cup celebrations with a local parade to welcome home the All Blacks.

Fresh from their win over Australia, the boys in black will be in Christchurch on Thursday afternoon, travelling around part of the central city on the back of utes before finishing at Hagley Park for a Mayoral welcome and public reception.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel says Christchurch will turn on a heroes' welcome.

"We're absolutely delighted to be able to host the All Blacks in our city, as they bring the Webb Ellis Cup home again. The whole country has been behind them throughout the tournament, so it's exciting to be able to celebrate with them in Christchurch.

"I was inundated with requests for a homecoming parade from the moment the final whistle blew. I know there will be a big turnout for captain Richie McCaw and Man of the Match Dan Carter along with the other Canterbury players, and the team. 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."

Parade and public reception details

· The All Blacks victory parade will be held on Thursday 5 November. The parade will start at 2.30pm on the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Hereford Street.

· The All Blacks will be on the back of utes which will travel at walking pace along Park Terrace, ending at the corner of Park Terrace and finishing prior to Bealey Avenue.

· The All Blacks will join invited guests on stage at 3.15pm for a Mayoral welcome and public reception.

· At the conclusion of the public reception the All Blacks will depart for Wellington.

Road closures

· Hereford Street (from Cambridge Terrace to Montreal Street) will close to traffic at 1.30pm on Thursday. It will reopen at 2.30pm.

· Hereford Street (from Montreal Street to Rolleston Avenue) will also close to traffic at 1.30pm on Thursday. It will reopen once the parade has passed Armagh Street (approximately 3pm).

· The Council's public entrance on Hereford Street will be closed from 1.30pm-2.30pm. The Worcester Boulevard entrance will remain open.

· Park Terrace and Rolleston Avenue will be closed to traffic from 2pm. There will be a staged reopening with Rolleston Avenue (from Hereford Street to Armagh Street) reopening at approximately 3.30pm. Park Terrace will reopen to traffic at 4pm.

· Kilmore Street (from Montreal Street to Park Terrace) will be closed to traffic from 2pm. It will reopen to traffic at 4pm.

Parking

· Public parking will be available in Hagley Park (Carlton Mill corner) from 12pm-2pm. The carpark will close at 2pm and no further vehicles will be permitted entry after this time. Mobility parking will be available. All cars must be removed from the carpark by 4.30pm.

· The carpark area in the Botanic Gardens (entrance off Armagh Street) will be closed from 1.45pm to 3.30pm.

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