TEAMNZ plate auction hits $23,000

Team NZ number plate auction up to $23,000 already. Photo/Trade Me

A TEAMNZ number plate being auctioned on Trade Me has reached a bid of $23,000, 11 hours before closing.

User floppy9 has listed the plate from Taranaki with a starting bid of $20,000.

It urged buyers to "be the first to show them off around the streets of New Zealand".

Peter Burling was at the helm for Emirates Team New Zealand when the Kiwis overwhelmed Cup holders Oracle Team USA 7-1 off Bermuda to lift the Auld Mug on June 27.

Floppy9 advised to hold on to it until the next America's Cup as a good investment.

The plates, according to the seller, had been bought a very long time ago.

They said the successful bidder would receive new plates instead of the ones pictured.