The Glasgow 2014 Queens Baton touches down in Auckland this Wednesday and its first official engagement will be a tour of Auckland Harbour on a New Zealand-designed Sealegs amphibious power boat.
With Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Team Chef de Mission Rob Waddell in the drivers seat and Commonwealth Games medallists taking charge of the baton, the first New Zealand leg of the Queens Baton Relay will take in the sights of the Waitemata.
Thousands of children will then be given a chance to experience the excitement of the Queens Baton Relay through ANZ Olympic Schools activities in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin.
For Chef de Mission Rob Waddell, the arrival of the Queens Baton in New Zealand highlights just how close the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are.
The Queens Baton is a symbol of our Commonwealth history and one of New Zealands favourite sporting events. With just over seven months to go our elite athletes are preparing for some outstanding competition in a vibrant, modern and well-prepared city.
The Queens Baton relay began its 190,000 kilometre journey around 70 nations and territories in October 2013 and unites the two billion people of the Commonwealth in a celebration of sport, diversity and peace. It arrives in New Zealand from Samoa.
The New Zealand leg of the Queens Baton relay also includes a formal reception at Parliament hosted by British High Commissioner HE Vicki Treadell on Friday before it departs for Dunedin where it will headline the citys traditional St Andrews Day celebrations on Saturday.
Commonwealth Games athletes including Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist and ANZ athlete Hamish Carter will also join the Queens Baton Relay.
The Commonwealth Games takes place 23 July 2014 3 August 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Around 200 New Zealanders will represent New Zealand at Glasgow 2014 taking part in 17 sports. Commonwealth Games team selection takes place April June 2014.
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