Rain set to fall on Team New Zealand's parade

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling and holds the Americas Cup aloft as they celebrate after defeating Oracle Team USA in the America's Cup.

The parade to celebrate Team New Zealand's victory in the America's Cup is set to be as wet as the sea off Bermuda with rain looking likely for Thursday's welcome home.

WeatherWatch is predicting a large area of low pressure will drift in from the Tasman Sea, bringing rain and showers to many regions, including Auckland.

The parade is set to begin at 12.30pm, heading down Queen St in the central city before the team does a sail past for fans on the waterfront.

There is a 65 to 70 per cent chance of wet weather on Thursday in Auckland, according to WeatherWatch.

Once the low arrives on Thursday it is set to hang around until next week, with areas of low pressure bringing in showers to New Zealand, particularly in western areas.

Some schools have advised parents that they have no problems with students skipping classes to watch the parade.

Auckland Primary Schools Principals' Association president Kevin Bush, who is also principal of Te Hihi School, said he personally doesn't oppose parents taking their children to the parade.

"It's not quite a once-in-a-lifetime but it's been 17 years since we won. I'm sure there will be a lot of parents taking their kids to the parade and me as a principal I would have no problem with that."

An email was sent to parents of students at Hobsonville School in West Auckland acknowledging parents may wish to take their children to the parade.

"We understand that parents and students may be joining in with the celebrations."

The parade clashes with the school's photo day but the school has moved that over two days to accommodate for the America's Cup celebrations.

Auckland Transport has advised fans who want to watch the parade to travel early, with the best way of getting there being public transport, walking or cycling.

People who are not going to the parade are advised to avoid the city centre if possible, and those who usually drive are advised to have a car-free day.

The parade will take Team New Zealand down Queen St from the Wakefield St intersection, then turn right on Customs St East, left down Gore St, left down Quay St past Queens Wharf, left up Lower Hobson St then right along Customs St West finishing up at the corner of Quay St and Lower Hobson St at the entrance to the Viaduct Harbour.

After the parade through the streets the team will take to the water, going by boat around the Viaduct Basin and past North Wharf, Princes Wharf and Queens Wharf.

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (Ateed) spokeswoman Melanya Burrows said the parade will feature ticker tape, but only during the celebration on land and not on the water.

Burrows said the parade is being held mid-week to allow for Team New Zealand sailors to get home to their families as soon as possible.

"While a mid-week parade will mean some Aucklanders won't be able to attend, organisers have taken into account that team members have been away from home for an extended period and will want to return to their families as soon as possible, and the Test match being held in Auckland over the weekend."

Additional buses will run from Takapuna, Birkenhead, Howick, Botany, Panmure, Ellerslie, Mt Eden, Tamaki, Manukau and from Northern Express stations between 10am and 3pm.

There will be an extra 11,000 seats on trains heading to Britomart, which is right at the centre of the parade route.

There will be additional seating on ferries from Birkenhead, Bayswater, Half Moon Bay, Pine Harbour, West Harbour, Gulf Harbour and Hobsonville.

There will be road closures along the parade route and some nearby streets beginning 9am and ending at around 3pm, except for Customs St West and Market Place which will reopen at 5pm.