Madam, - What a wonderful time we had hosting the legions of Lions' supporters here in New Zealand for the recent rugby tour! The tour will go down in history as one of our country's biggest and best on record. To have so many thousands of good-natured, good-humoured visitors in our cities was heart-warming. We too had a fantastic time.
To the British and Irish Lions fans we say: thank you. We hope that those who came enjoyed our country and our hospitality. Your enthusiasm, good humour and good sportsmanship certainly rubbed off on us.
You taught us that, even in defeat, the proud stand tall and the gracious celebrate the achievements of their team even if they are not victorious on the night.
We loved having you here and hope you'll come back and see us again some time. To those who couldn't make it to New Zealand for the Tour, we hope the stories and experiences of those who are returning to the United Kingdom and Ireland entice you to these shores. - Yours, etc,
KERRY PRENDERGAST,
Mayor of Wellington,
DICK HUBBARD,
Mayor of Auckland,
GARRY MOORE,
Mayor of Christchurch,
MICHAEL REDMAN,
Mayor of Hamilton,
PETER TENNENT,
Mayor of New Plymouth ,
TIM SHADBOLT,
Mayor of Invercargill,
HEATHER TANGUAY,
Mayor of Palmerston North,
PETER CHIN,
Mayor of Dunedin,
STUART CROSBY,
Mayor of Tauranga
KEVIN WINTERS,
Mayor of Rotorua,
c/o Office of the
Mayor of Wellington,
New Zealand.