Northland's first Olympic medal winner in 16 years is planning to relax, catch up with friends and family, and enjoy the buzz of his silver medal win.
Blair Tuke, of Kerikeri's Opito Bay, was given a hero's welcome on Thursday when more than 3000 people lined the streets of Kerikeri
for a tickertape parade.
Accompanying him were his teammate in the 49er class, Peter Burling from Tauranga, and Kerikeri laser sailor Andrew Murdoch.
The trio knew a welcome had been planned but were amazed by the size of the crowd - more than half the town's population - and were visibly moved by the haka powhiri performed at the Domain by students of Kerikeri High School's kapa haka group.
Tuke said he knew a family friend was organising "a bit of a welcome. But we didn't think it would be like this, with the whole of Kerikeri High School and primary students coming up from Kawakawa.
