Tuesday Parade to Welcome Shield Heroes

The heroic Vodafone Wellington Lions – and the Ranfurly Shield - will be paraded before adoring Wellingtonians in a lunchtime parade along the Golden Mile on Tuesday 23 September.

Acting Wellington Mayor Ian McKinnon says the parade will offer the perfect chance for Wellingtonians to welcome the Shield back after 26 years' absence - and pay tribute to the team.

"Tonight's game was one of the great tough Shield challenges - the Lions overcame some terrible pressure from Auckland in the first half.

"By holding the parade on Tuesday rather than Monday it'll just give Wellingtonians a little more time to get over the fact that the Shield is back in the Capital - and to prepare for a rousing reception."

The parade will start at 12.45pm outside the old Government Buildings at the north end of Lambton Quay, head along the Quay, into Willis Street and Mercer Street and end at Civic Square just after 1.00pm.

Cr John Morrison, the Council's Economic Development and Recreation Portfolio Leader, says the Lions' performance tonight has "ended 26 years of psychological torment in the Wellington region.

"I know that Council staff this week went looking for local people with experience in organising Shield victory parades in the Capital – but found that most have either sadly passed on, or are in rest homes.

"However I know Wellingtonians will be out in force on Tuesday and it'll be a parade to remember.

"In our heart of hearts we've always known the Wellington Lions are far and away the hardest and most entertaining provincial side in the country. Now the long dark years of paranoia