Team NZ has thanked Northlanders for their support during the victorious America's Cup campaign - and for producing a raft of world-class sailors - by taking the coveted trophy on a whirlwind tour.
The tour started in Taipa, home to the country's northernmost sailing club, on Friday evening, with the trophy welcomed at Ramada Resort before a parade along the waterfront to the clubrooms.
Read more: America's Cup sailing: Auld Mug coming to Northland
The "Auld Mug" was accompanied by its own security guard and Team NZ members including sailor Andy Maloney from Kerikeri, cyclor Josh Junior, head of on-water support Chris Hornell from Opua, and boatbuilder Adrian White from Karikari Peninsula.
The guest of honour at Taipa, where a few hundred people crowded into the boatshed for autographs and photos with the world's oldest sporting trophy, was Hekenukumai Busby from nearby Aurere, a master waka builder and world authority on traditional navigation.
On Saturday afternoon it was Kerikeri Cruising Club's turn to play host. With limited parking at the clubrooms the event was held at Kerikeri Domain, where Far North Mayor John Carter claimed the America's Cup win as a Kerikeri victory, given the number of sailors from the town.
That fact that so many people in a small town, in a small district, had reached the pinnacle of sailing showed there were great opportunities for young Northlanders if they chose to participate actively.
Mr Carter also invited Team NZ, only half-jokingly, to hold the Cup in the Bay of Islands if Auckland proved unsuitable.
Royal NZ Yacht Squadron commodore Steve Mair told the crowd of 200 that planning for the tour started straight after the win in Bermuda.
The intention was to bring the trophy to as many people as possible, thank New Zealanders for their support, and acknowledge the small-town clubs where many Team NZ members learnt to sail.
"I know the country went crazy. Thank you guys so much," he said.
While the next America's Cup would be raced in monohulls, these would be monohulls unlike anything seen before, Mr Mair said.
The Northland leg of the tour ended at Whangarei Cruising Club on Saturday evening. The trophy made two stops in Coromandel yesterday and is in the Bay of Plenty today. The tour is due to end at Bluff Yacht Club on October 17.