
Public events, including a reception at Parliament in Wellington, skills and drills, street parades and meet and greets will officially start on Monday 5 December and run through to the World School Sevens tournament in Auckland on Sunday 18 December.
See below dates and locations of the events, some details will be confirmed in the coming days.
Many New Zealander’s have already celebrated with their home-town stars, with parades and events in Kaiatāia with Krystal Murray, Ōpōtiki with Luka Connor, Murupara with Natalie Delamare, while Ruby Tui is set to take part in the Greymouth Santa Parade this weekend.
Players have also given back in pacific communities with Maiakawanakaukani Roos and Theresa Fitzpatrick returning to their roots in Rarotonga and Samoa respectively and taking part in public events.
Thank You Aotearoa Tour
*players to be confirmed
Bay of Plenty
Date: Monday 5 December
Time: 4pm
Details: Rip Rugby Finals Night at Omokoroa Sports Ground, Omokoroa
Hamilton
Date: Tuesday 6 December
Time: 3.30pm
Details: A public Meet and Greet at Hamilton Old Boys Rugby Club, Hamilton
New Plymouth
Date: Wednesday 7 December
Time: 4pm
Details: Skills and Drills at Yarrow Stadium
Palmerston North
Date: Thursday 8 December
Time: 3.30pm
Details: A public Meet and Greet at The Square, Palmerston North
Christchurch
Date: Saturday 10 December
Time: from 4.30pm
Details: Players to make an appearance at the Six60 concert at OrangeTheory Stadium
Christchurch
Date: Monday 12 December
Time: 4pm
Details: A public Meet and Greet at Victoria Squad, Christchurch
Wellington
Date: Tuesday 13 December
Time: 12pm
Details: Public reception at New Zealand Parliament Building
Ruatoki
Date: Wednesday 14 December
Time: 11am
Details: A public Meet and Greet and Fun Day at Tiwi Black Park, Ruatoki
Whakatane
Date: Thursday 15 December
Details: To be confirmed
Omaio
Date: Friday 16 December
Time: 2pm
Details: An event to be held at the Ōtūwhare Marae
Gisborne*
Date: Friday 16 December
Time: 4pm
Details: A public Meet and Greet at the Grey St Food Festival, Gisborne
* Note: The Trophy will not be at this event.
Auckland
Date: Sunday 18 December
Time: 12pm
Details: Meet and Greet at the World Schools Sevens at Pakuranga Rugby Club