Former All Black Chris Laidlaw has lauded the performance of the Hurricanes in winning the Super Rugby final, saying they earned every bit of support they got from the region.
The Hurricanes became the last of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises to claim the championship when they beat South African opponents the Lions 20-3 in Wellington on Saturday night.
Their success will be celebrated with a victory parade for skipper Dane Coles and his team through the central city on Tuesday.
Laidlaw, who chairs the Greater Wellington Regional Council, says the Hurricanes are an inspiration to the region.
"On Saturday night, at the most successful regional stadium in the country, the Hurricanes earned every ounce of the support they get from the Wellington region," he said.
"The team really came of age on the night, by virtue of the fact that they played not just for each other but for their region as a whole."
Laidlaw said the team showed councils what could be achieved by more effective co-operation.
The victory parade will leave from Parliament at noon with the players in open-topped vehicles, and the route will take in Lambton Quay, Willis St and Mercer St and end at Civic Square.
