The Glasgow 2014 Queens Baton has arrived in New Zealand ahead of a four day tour celebrating the spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
The relay began this morning with a tour of Aucklands Waitemata Harbour on a New Zealand-designed amphibious Sealegs power boat driven by Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Rob Waddell. Children from the ANZ Olympic Schools programme then took the baton on a series of school visits throughout the city.
Waddell was joined by Commonwealth Games athletes Nikki Hamblin (athletics) and Joelle King (squash) on the harbour tour.
The Commonwealth Games is a fantastic opportunity for thousands of children to share in the excitement of the Commonwealth Games, said Waddell. Its also a real milestone for the 200 athletes expected to represent New Zealand at what will unquestionably be an outstanding sporting event.
Thursday will bring further ANZ Olympic Schools activities in Auckland before the Queens Baton heads to Wellington on Friday (29th November). An ANZ Olympic Schools relay will take place around Oriental Parade ahead of a formal welcome at Parliament hosted by Her Excellency Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner.
The Queens Baton then heads to Dunedin where the New Zealand leg of the relay will conclude with traditional St Andrews Day celebrations and an ANZ Olympic schools relay.
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 and will depart for Kiribati.