Queen's Baton welcomed with Nevis Swing and stunning South Island scenery

Notes to editors: Richie and Gemma McCaw will fly the baton into Kaikoura tomorrow with a media opportunity at 1445.

The full media schedule (subject to change) can be downloaded here.

Footage from today’s events can be accessed at this link.

NZOC Media Release
18 December 2017
 
 
QUEEN’S BATON RELAY DAY ONE - QUEEN’S BATON WELCOMED WITH NEVIS SWING AND STUNNING SOUTH ISLAND SCENERY

After leaving Auckland this morning the Queen’s Baton was met in Queenstown by Her Excellency the Governor General.

The Baton and Dame Patsy Reddy made their way to Arrowtown Primary school, where hundreds of students performed a haka and waiata to welcome the congregation.

“It’s great to celebrate the Queen’s Baton and I can’t imagine a more beautiful setting to welcome it to New Zealand,” said Dame Patsy.

“I’m very pleased to be a Baton bearer and I wish it well on the rest of its journey around New Zealand ahead of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.”

Athletes Holly Robinson, Matt Randall and Donna Wilkins (nee Loffhagen) also accompanied the Baton to the school.

Robinson (javelin) said it was great to see a talented bunch of budding athletes.

“Meeting those kids was an absolute blast, they loved learning about the Baton and the Commonwealth Games and I think the visit will have inspired them to put everything into their sports.”

The children ran a relay with the Baton and athlete Donna Wilkins (netball, basketball) enjoyed the friendly race.

“It was great to see how receptive the kids were. It’s a sporty school and given how much they loved looking at my medals we may have some future Commonwealth Games athletes in this bunch!”

The Baton was then flown to Cecil Peak for a photo opportunity overlooking Queenstown before being taken on the Nevis swing by Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Olympic track cyclist Matt Randall.

The swing reaches speeds of 120kph in its 300m arc and left Randall worrying about his blood pressure.

“I was very, very nervous,” he said.

“I’m still shaking now but we got there!”

This evening the Baton is being hosted at a private function by the Governor General before travelling to Kaikoura tomorrow.

ENDS

For more information contact:
Lewis Hampton
Communications and Content Executive
New Zealand Olympic Committee
lewis@olympic.org.nz
+64 27 451 8090

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S BATON RELAY IN NZ

The New Zealand arrival kicks off final leg of the baton's 230,000 kilometre voyage around the Commonwealth.

The Baton’s visit will connect current athletes including Sophie Pascoe, Dame Valerie Adams, Richie Patterson with Commonwealth greats such as Sir John Walker, Dick Taylor, Valerie Young and Precious McKenzie, as well as the New Zealand public and the youth of the wider Commonwealth.

The Queen’s Baton travels to Queenstown (18 December), Kaikoura (19 December), Christchurch (20 December), Auckland CBD (21 December), Auckland North Shore (22 December) and South Auckland (23 December).

New Zealanders can go to www.olympic.org.nz for more detail about public events. 

Inside the Queen’s Baton is a ‘message to the Commonwealth and its athletes’.

This message will be opened at the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where and read by a representative of the Her Majesty the Queen.

The Queen’s Baton travels through all 70 countries and territories of the Commonwealth, it’s journey will promote sport and athletes, building more peaceful, sustainable and more prosperous communities globally.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is underpinned by the values of Humanity, Equality and Destiny and takes 13 March 2017 – 4 April 2018

About the Journey

• 70 countries visited
• Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Oceania
• 388 days
• 230,000 kilometres travelled
• 50% of the Commonwealth are aged 25 and under
• Ends 4 April 2018 at the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Games

 
QBR NZ MEDIA EVENT SCHEDULE

COMING UP:

Monday 18th December 
QUEENSTOWN

11:20   12:00               Queens Baton welcomed to Queenstown by Governor General.
                                    Media event at Queenstown airport.
(Names of media to be provided to lewis@olympic.org.nz prior to accessing the tarmac)
 14:00   15:00               Arrowtown Primary School Visit with Athletes, Governor General. 15:00     16:00               Nevis Swing (A J Hackett Bungy) with athletes, via helicopter.
                                    Photo call Cecil Peak.
Athletes – Donna Wilkins (netball nee Loffhagen, silver medal Kuala Lumpur 1998 and Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006, Olympic Games 2000, 2004) and Matt Randall, (bronze medal, track cycling Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. Track cycling Athens Olympic Games 2002)

Media may travel by car to the Nevis Swing but must have prior notice for car access - see lewis@olympic.org.nz -  or alternatively, NZOC will make raw footage of swing available via drop box. 
 
Tuesday, 19 December 2017 – KAIKOURA
13:30   15:30               Kaikoura Community Event with children and families
                                    Earthquake affected communities meet special athlete guests and
                                    take part in sports events
 Baton arrival by helicopter of Baton into Kaikoura at 2.15pm.
 
Wednesday, 20 December 2017 – CHRISTCHURCH
09:00   10:00               Visit to Apollo Centre to meet athletes
Athletes: Natalie Rooney (Shooting Silver medal, Rio 2016, Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 and Glasgow 2014), Andrea Hewitt (triathlon, bronze Melbourne 2006)
10:00   11:00               Queen’s Baton Visit to Jellie Pool
Para-athlete and double gold Medallist (Swimming, Glasgow 2014) Sophie Pascoe, children’s community event.
11:00   12:00               Visit to QEII -  site of the 1974 Commonwealth Games
                                    Media opportunity with Dick Tayler, gold medal 10,000m Chc 1974
12.30   14:00               Mayoral Luncheon with Christchurch athletes (current and legacy)

Thursday, 21 December 2017 – AUCKLAND
10:30 12:30                 Queen’s Baton Visit to Auckland Children’s sports event (“Have a go” Day) at Victoria Park Market.
                                    Government representative present
                                    Two team selection announcements – Beach Volleyball and Gymnastics
Athletes join kids in trying out Commonwealth Games sports - including Julie Ratcliffe, DJ Forbes, Moss Burmester, Olivia McTaggart, Cam McTaggart, David Bishop, Graeme Miller,  Juliet Petersen (nee Etherington), , Helen Clarke, Evelyn Williamason, David Stellard, Kim Robertson, Alexis Pritchard, Krystal Forgesson, Tony Sargisson, Bailey Rogers, Terina Keenan, Stella Ebert
 
Friday, 22 December 2017 – AUCKLAND
 
11:00   12:00               Swimming Selection Announcement – AUT Millennium 
Selected athletes are generally expected to attend this announcement includes both Para athletes and able-bodied athletes.
12:00   13:00               Informal Luncheon at AUT Millennium Café
13:30   14:30               Baton visit to Settlers Albany Retirement Home
Led by Precious McKenzie and including athletes Dylan Dunlop-Barrett, Anne Sissons, Lianne Fox, Dillon Boucher, Tony Sargisson, Precious McKenzie, Stella Ebert, Olivia McTaggart)
15:00   16:30               Queen’s Baton visit to Westfield Shopping Mall, meet Santa…
Athletes include: Julia Ratcliffe, Ricky Zhao, Dylan Dunlop-Barrett,
Heather Matthews, Lianne Fox, Tony Sargisson, Richie Patterson, Corneille Coetzee, Kirsten-Lee Pearce, James Coughlan, Stella Ebert, Aya Tamaka-Probert, Olivia McTaggart, Tracey Lambrechs
 
Saturday, 23 December 2017 – AUCKLAND
07:00   08:30               Queen’s Baton Visit to Otara Market, South Auckland.
Baton hosted by Dame Valerie Adams.
0945 -  11:00               Special farewell event (poroporoake) & handover to Yugambeh people    
(first nations people of the Gold Coast). Auckland Museum.
Athletes TBC
 
OFFICIAL END OF NZ QUEEN’S BATON RELAY

About the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games:

It’s hoped around 250 athletes will represent New Zealand at Gold Coast 2018, making it our largest ever Commonwealth Games team.
 
New Zealand athletes are aiming to compete in 18 sports (including four para disciplines) with selection to take place from November 2017 – March 2018.
 
For the first-time women’s rugby sevens will be on the programme as well as beach volleyball, and basketball is back on the programme after a 12 year hiatus.
 
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be the largest sporting event Australia will see this decade and the biggest sporting spectacle the Gold Coast has ever seen.
 
The games will be contested between April 4th – 15^th 2018, with more than 6,600 athletes and team officials to take part.