The Queen’s Baton Relay kicked off in New Zealand on Saturday 12 March, with a sunrise pōwhiri to welcome the Baton at the peak of Kaiti Hill in Gisborne, which looks out on to Captain Cook’s Landing Site where he first arrived in 1769.
A pōwhiri is a welcome ceremony that involves speeches, singing, and cultural performances.
Continuing the Relay through Gisborne, Batonbearers paddled in a waka, traditional Kiwi canoe, from Marina Park along the Tūranganui River to the mouth of the river, as local members of the community watched from the banks.
Then the Baton was taken to Lawson Field Theatre Riverbank, where athletes Michelle Rennie and Mellissa Louise Jones were eagerly awaiting its arrival.
The Baton then travelled south to Hawke’s Bay and visited Napier Basketball Court, where children of the community were playing basketball with athletes, including the most capped international netball player of all time, Irene van Dyk and weightlifting champion and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Nigel Avery, who has taken on the role of New Zealand Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022.
The Baton was also taken to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, where the Baton was held in the sky, whilst the birds soared around it.
Exploring more of the country on Sunday 13 March, the Baton travelled to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.
It visited the Basin Reserve Cricket Ground to witness the Australia vs New Zealand game, an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup event, to celebrate the upcoming debut of Women’s T20 Cricket into the Commonwealth Games programme. Kyle Pontifex, member of the bronze medal winning hockey team at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, carried the Baton around the grounds.
That same day, The Right Honourable Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and The Honourable Grant Robertson interacted with the Queen’s Baton, learning about the intricate methods that were used to create the Baton in the West Midlands.
The following day, Monday 14 March, the Baton was present for Commonwealth Day celebrations at Wellington College, where athletes, including Lewis Clareburt, Sally Johnston, and Kyle Pontifex took part in a Q&A session for the students.
Later that day, the Governor General, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, QSO hosted a reception to celebrate Commonwealth Day and the Queen’s Baton Relay, guests included, New Zealand Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022, Nigel Avery, President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee and former Olympic rower, Mike Stanley, as well as former President of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Kereyn Smith.
The Baton’s final day in New Zealand started in former Commonwealth Games host city, Auckland with a visit to Murray Halberg Retirement Village, where athletes Richie Patterson, Alexis Pritchard, Eve Williamson, and Ethan Mitchell carried the Baton with pride.
With anticipation for Birmingham 2022 building, Team New Zealand announced their team selections for para-bowling and weightlifting.
The day and Kiwi leg of the journey ended with a visit to Kolmar Recreation Centre, where athletes from around the Pacific Islands had the chance to carry the Baton.
