Waitangi Day in PyeongChang was celebrated with the raising of the New Zealand Flag at the Athletes’ Village this afternoon and some fun for the New Zealand Team.
Under blue skies with temperatures at -11 degrees, the New Zealand delegation were welcomed into the Olympic Plaza with a combination of traditional music and hip hop, a formal flag raising and a chance to dance with the locals. It also gave the Kiwi athletes a chance to reflect on the importance of peace, and on Waitangi Day, what it means to be a New Zealander.
The formalities came first. A traditional Korean orchestra set the scene as the New Zealand arrived and gifts were exchanged between New Zealand Chef de Mission Pete Wardell and the Mayor of the Olympic Village, Korean short track skater Kim Ki-Hoon, who warmly welcomed the New Zealand team.
To a round of applause and a sense of excitement from the gathered international guests, the New Zealand team responded with a haka, acknowledging both their Korean hosts and the important day New Zealand was celebrating back home.
“It’s just an awesome moment, to have the Kiwi flag join nations as diverse as Armenia, Nigeria whose flags were also raised today, and of course well known Olympic Winter countries like the US, Canada, Sweden and others,” said Pete Wardell, New Zealand’s Chef de Mission.
“We were very pleased to welcome our Acting Ambassador Roy Ferguson from Seoul along with members of the New Zealand media. It was great to see our fantastic athletes enjoy a bit of fun and entertainment here in the Olympic Village.
Members of the New Zealand Team gather at the Peace Bridge in the Olympic Village. GettyImages.
“Having it all take place on Waitangi Day was a real bonus for our team and our athletes were honoured to acknowledge our hosts with the haka.”
Wardell went on to sign the Peace Bridge on behalf of the New Zealand Team which acknowledges the Olympic Truce and the importance of international communication, understanding and well-being and the power of sport to help connect nations.
Long track speed skaters Shane Dobbin, Peter Michael and Reyon Kay had come up to the mountain village from their base on the Korean Coast for the event and joined the freeski and snowboard teams along with skeleton athlete Rhys Thornton.
Following the formalities, New Zealand athletes joined Korean hip hop group The Beat Boys who wrapped up the ceremony mixing modern dance with traditional Korean drummers providing the soundtrack.
Fun with the locals at today's Flag Raising ceremony. GettyImages
The New Zealand freeski and snowboard athletes will now prepare for their first day training as the countdown to the Opening Ceremony continues.
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