A dedicated All Blacks fan has won an online auction for a giant All Blacks sign.
A man who registered as Paul from Lower Hutt placed the winning bid of $2050 two minutes before the auction closed today.
Each letter of the sign measures 3.5m high and 2.5m wide - up to 28m long depending on how the letters are arranged.
The sign, which adorned Wellington's Miramar Peninsula during the Rugby World Cup, was auctioned on the website Trade Me by Wellington International Airport.
The webpage read: "Gather your mates, colleagues, organisation, business and family to make a bid for the champions' giant sign.
"If your backyard isn't big enough you could donate it to your school, local rugby club, farm roadside or ship it over to your Aussie mates."
All funds raised will go to Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington.
The website was viewed more than 23,000 times before it closed at 11am today.
Winning bidder Paul will get the sign as individual letters on a steel frame backing. Wellington Airport will cover up to $1500 for the cost of the freight.
Paul took the lead in bidding this morning before another user tried to swoop in at 10.58am.
But that was quickly matched by Paul, who, having been a member of Trade Me since 2003, has won 26 auctions and received glowing reviews as a buyer.
Airport spokeswoman Kat Linlott said the All Blacks sign had drawn lots of attention.
She said the sign had been put up during the first few weeks of the tournament and was taken down last week.
It is to be replaced by a new sign - Wellington - with the last three letters styled as if they are being blown away.
All Blacks manager Darren Shand said the original sign had been a great show of support for the team during the tournament.
"It was a very cool gesture, was very much appreciated by the team and overseas fans flying in for the Wellington test matches were left in no doubt which team Wellington was supporting," he said.
He said the funds raised were going to a fantastic cause.
Spokesman Graham Ford said they were thankful for the gesture and the funds raised would be greatly received by staff, but particularly patients and their families.
"Money raised from the auction will help provide medicine and medical care for those most at need and support for their families."