The Queen’s Baton spent two days in Kiribati. Activities started in Eita Village where Nicholas McDermott, President of the Kiribati National Olympic Committee, presented the Baton to Unimwane, who are the male elders of the community. Then five of the village elders then performed a welcome ceremony in the maneaba, which is the centre of village life.
The Baton was then taken to visit the House of Parliament and the Teinainano Urban Council. Following these visits, the Queen’s Baton was relayed through the local town by Acting New Zealand High Commissioner, Melanie Roberts and Australian High Commissioner, HE David Yardley truly joining the communities of the Commonwealth together in the Baton’s journey.
Martin Moreti, the Minster for Women, Youth, Sports, and Social Affairs, also took part in the Relay.
Heading west around the nation, the Baton was taken to Betio Town, where the Mayor interacted with the Baton.
At the end of the first day, the Baton was taken to the Betio War Memorial, which commemorates the Battle of Tarawa, which took place during World War II. The Baton was taken to witness several old bunkers and relics remaining from the battle.
The Baton’s second day in Kiribati started at Marakei Maneaba, which was opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 23 October 1982. Here, local people performed songs and dances to celebrate the Baton.
Continuing the Relay, the Baton was taken to visit the frontline workers at Hospital Betio, Tungaru Central Hospital, who have been working through the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as Police Stations in Betio and Bairiki before going to King George V School to inspire the students.
To conclude the Baton’s visit to Kiribati, it was taken to the visit the beaches in Ambo village, where mangroves have been planted along the coast as a conservation effort.
