The New Zealand Team has ended an incredibly successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games campaign, leaving Birmingham with a record number of gold medals.
The Team won 49 medals, including 20 gold medals, 12 silver and 17 bronze and the most medals of any colour ever won by New Zealand at an away-Games in history.
The cyclists led the way, winning a staggering 13 medals in the Velodrome, made up of eight gold, four silver and one bronze, for their most successful campaign ever. Mountain Bikers Sam Gaze and Ben Oliver boosted the tally with a gold and silver respectively which was followed up by Georgia Williams’ bronze in the time trial and Aaron Gate’s stunning gold in the Road Cycling making it 17 medals overall for cycling.
Aaron Gate and Ellesse Andrews were the standout performers of the cycling team winning four and three golds respectively, with Andrews adding a silver to boot.
New Zealand’s swimmers also had a brilliant campaign, winning nine medals, five of which were gold (swimming’s highest gold medal total at a Games). Lewis Clareburt was the star performer, winning two gold and one bronze (400IM, 200m fly, 200 IM).
Paul Coll also made history, becoming the first New Zealander to win gold in the men’s singles squash and backing it up with gold in the mixed doubles alongside Joelle King. King also became our most decorated female Commonwealth Games athletes, picking up gold in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles.
New Zealand finished fifth on the medal table with our medallists aged from 17 – 57 spanning both Para and non-disabled sports.
Team Chef de Mission Nigel Avery acknowledged the efforts of all team members.
“This has been a truly fantastic Games with brilliant performances across our team,” said Avery.
“It’s always great to win a medal for your country and I’d also like to acknowledge all the athletes who gave it their and may not have stood on the podium. It’s a huge honour to wear the fern and our athletes have all done our nation proud.”
Avery also referenced the outstanding culture shown by the team.
“Our team values and culture of Manaaki have really been on display during these Games and it’s been great to see.
“From our team welcomes and haka, to our displays of sporting spirit and respect on the field of play and the sheer number of outstanding personal bests, I’m extremely proud of the way the athletes have represented our country and the legacy they’ve left here. They hail from diverse communities and cultures, and we know their achievements will go on to inspire Kiwis from all around New Zealand.”
He finished by thanking the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee, the CGF and the people and volunteers of Birmingham.
“We’ve had an exceptional time here in Birmingham – the warmth of welcome from the local Brummies has been a highlight as has the atmosphere and community activations in the streets. The delivery of the Games for the athletes has been strong and the venues outstanding.”
NZOC CEO Nicki Nicol extended her congratulations to the team.
“This has been an incredible Games for New Zealand,” said Nicol.
“The athletes have been outstanding on and off the field of play and I thank each one of them. I also acknowledge the many people within our National Sporting Organisations, many of them volunteers, as well as the teams at HPSNZ and Sport NZ, who have all played such an important role in getting them here.”
“We are delighted so many friends and whanau could come to Birmingham to support the Team and share in their success in person. New Zealand House has been a home away from home for them and it has been fantastic to see the silver fern in the crowds.”
“Our special thanks to our New Zealand Team partners, suppliers and valued donors who provide critical funding to the New Zealand Team.”
New Zealand House in Birmingham attracted some 4,000 friends, whanau, and supporters of the New Zealand Team, as well as playing host to dignitaries, including the New Zealand Olympic Committee Patron Her Excellency the Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro and the Minister for Sport and Recreation the Honourable Grant Robertson.
“We also thank the members of Edgbaston Golf Club for their hospitality and warm welcome as their Club became New Zealand House during the Games.”
The New Zealand Team now depart the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with some returning to New Zealand and others remaining for competition or vacation throughout Europe and the US. Team members from a variety of sports including lawn bowls, hockey, cricket, boxing and diving arrive into Auckland on 11 August.
The Team will come together again in October to celebrate their success. They will be joined by New Zealand Team members from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the New Zealand Olympic Gala Dinner taking place in Auckland.
New Zealand Team Highlights
234 athletes (124 female, 110 male - 53% female – first time more women than men)
20 gold medals, most gold medals at a Commonwealth Games ever
49 medals being our largest ever medal tally at an away-Games, exceeding 46 at Gold Coast 2018 (won at Birmingham 2022 by 19 fewer athletes)
Fifth on the Medal Table
13 of the 19 New Zealand sports competing at the Games won medals (cycling counted as one sport but including all three disciplines).
Aaron Gate won four gold medals across track and road cycling – the highest number of golds by a New Zealander at a single Commonwealth Games.
Joelle King became our most decorated female Commonwealth Games athletes, picking up gold in the women’s doubles and mixed doubles (eight medals overall 5x gold, 1x silver, 2x bronze).
Paul Coll became the first New Zealand male to win singles squash gold
Most successful ever squash campaign with three gold medals
New Zealanders were side by side on the podium in four events – gold and silver in Men’s Mountain Bike, Men’s Point Race, Men’s Individual Pursuit, Men’s Shotput
3x3 basketball and Women’s T20 Cricket were two new Commonwealth Sports contested by New Zealand
First time New Zealand was represented in the Opening Ceremony by two flagbearers - Te Pou Hapai Tane Tom Walsh and Te Pou Hapai Wahine Joelle King
13 medals for Track Cycling – most successful ever – boosted by a further four medals in Mountain Bike, Road Cycling
Nine medals, including five golds, in swimming – most successful ever
Three medals in one day for Judo
Hamish Kerr becomes New Zealand’s first male to win a gold medal in high jump at a Commonwealth Games.
Outstanding demonstrations of sporting spirit including Hayden Wilde on the field of play and Ellesse Andrews and Jesse Reynolds stepping in to ensure their team-mates’ success and Jacko Gill individually thanking athletics officials.
First time a New Zealand athlete advocated for social change on the Podium as Sam Gaze raced for Mental Health Awareness.
Wide range of cultural backgrounds in the Team. Māori athletes made up 20% (46 athletes) along athletes with Samoan, Tongan, Cook Islands, Fijian, Filipino, Chinese, Australian, European and African heritage.
Team members aged from 16 – 75 years in age – medallists 17 – 57 years in age. Average age 27.
4000+ friends, whanau and supporters through New Zealand House