Black Caps homecoming: Don't call it a victory parade ...

The event will go ahead whether the Black Caps win or lose to Australia in today's final. Photo / Getty Images

The Auckland Council is planning a World Cup homecoming for the Black Caps - just don't call it a victory parade.

Playing the ultimate straight bat, the council's events arm has unveiled sketchy plans for a generic welcome-home event; the only specifics being that it will be on Tuesday at 6pm, in the central city.

The event will go ahead whether the Black Caps win or lose to Australia in today's final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the council saying it wants to acknowledge a successful campaign.

Should New Zealand lift the World Cup tonight for the first time, the skeleton plans will turn into a full-on street parade.

Chris Gregory, media manager for Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development, said the council didn't want to jinx Brendon McCullum's team.

"We're not wanting to put a hoodoo on anything.

"But we knew there was a level of public expectation and speculation. As a result we thought we would get it to market now. Then we just enjoy the game," Gregory told the Herald on Sunday.

Should the Black Caps win tonight, they will have to fulfil winner's commitments for cricket's global governing body, the International Cricket Council, in Melbourne on Monday before coming home.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Key wants bosses to be lenient with staff tomorrow morning.

While he wouldn't be drawn on whether a first Cricket World Cup win would see a national holiday, he did give Kiwis a pretty decent excuse to offer the boss in the event of rolling in late tomorrow.

"A Black Caps win would certainly be a cause for great celebration and I would hope employers give their staff a bit of leeway if they show up a little late and slightly bleary-eyed on Monday," he told the Herald on Sunday.

"Win or lose there will be a fitting celebration where New Zealanders can get out and show their support."