Northland Black Sticks stars Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal, Ella Gunson, Sam Harrison and Madison Doar were welcomed to the Whangārei Town Basin by around 800 fans.
Rain failed to derail the Golden Parade for five Northland Commonwealth Games gold medal-winning hockey stars.
Around 800 turned out for the car cavalcade and ceremony at Whangārei's Town Basin as Black Sticks players Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal, Ella Gunson, Samantha Harrison and Madison Doar were greeted with rapturous applause.
The parade, organised by Sue Shepherd and Hockey Northland, celebrated their 4-1 win over Australia in the gold medal match on the Gold Coast in April.
Neal said it was a humbling experience for the gold medal winners.
Brooke Neal walks under the Guard of Honour. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE
"The whole day was pretty surreal. I love it here in Whangārei and I always try to come back up here with such a supportive community," she said.
"To see all the younger hockey players there too and seeing that you're possibly doing your part to inspire the next generation is special and definitely a moment in my life I'll cherish.
"To achieve something like we have and have the place you grew up in really proud of you is really special. In New Zealand, normally everybody is more reserved but there was a lot of excitement with all the kids here today which is great."
Terry and Bev Heappey offered their two classic Ford Zephyr cars for the parade, which saw the players head from Forum North to the Town Basin via Cameron St.
Caitlin Morris, left, sings the National Anthem alongside Stacey Michelsen, Brooke Neal, Ella Gunson, Madison Doar and Sam Harrison. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE
They proceeded to the Town Basin, welcomed by a Kamo Intermediate guard of honour and a haka from Kamo High School, before the formalities commenced.
Speeches were made by Whangārei Deputy Mayor Sharon Morgan, Hockey Northland chairman Alan Lints and the five medallists before the hockey stars were swarmed by excited students looking for autographs and photos.
Doar said she's never experienced an avalanche of fans quite like the one at the celebration.
"I don't think I've ever had that many kids come up to me like that, it was really exciting," she said.
"Seeing people from schools that we used to go to and knowing I was in their shoes just a few years ago was great to see. It was really cool seeing everyone out here and the influence we've had on the Northland hockey community. Just knowing we've inspired the young players up here is awesome to see."
Meanwhile Harrison said the celebrations meant a lot to her and her teammates.
"I think it's just awesome that everyone came out to support us. The fact we can see kids from the schools we used to go to is really amazing and to have them put up their hockey sticks for the procession was cool," she said.
"There's so much culture and support here and we really appreciate all of it."
A formal mayoral reception followed the parade before the players headed to Hockey Northland headquarters to mingle with junior players ahead of their games.
Shepherd said the effort of organising the day was well worth it.
"I want to thank the Whangārei District Council and everyone who has helped push this event," she said.
"We have so many negative things in Northland and I thought it was time we celebrated the successes we've had and everyone turning up means it was a well worth three weeks of hard work. Getting (Black Sticks' coach) Mark Hager to release the players to come up home out of training was great of him.
"Having them here is very, very special."
The Northland five will return to training next week as they prepare for the Pioneer Energy Tri Nations in Cromwell starting on May 19.
The Black Sticks take on Commonwealth Games silver medallists Australia and Japan.
