The Wanaka-based Bray (34) will carry the New Zealand flag for the opening ceremony at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.
Bray will be the fourth New Zealand flagbearer to wear the team's feather cloak at an Olympic Games opening ceremony.
The announcement was made during a unique celebration for the New Zealand team hosted by the Squamish people of British Columbia, who welcomed the team to the area.
As Bray was named Te Mahutonga (Constellation of the Southern Cross), the cloak was placed on her shoulders and her team honoured her with a haka.
"It's been an emotional and moving day we spent with the . . . Squamish people," Bray told the Otago Daily Times from Vancouver.
"I was beside myself and just felt incredible."
The kakahu (cloak) is only worn at an Olympics. The rest of the time, it is kept in a museum.
"It is a symbol of leadership and spiritual protection for the whole team," she said.
Chef de mission Pete Wardell said while the flag-bearer decision was tough, he was delighted to have named Bray.
"Juliane is well-respected as an athlete. She has performed consistently over a period spanning two Olympic Games and numerous world cups.
"Her experience means she is seen as a mentor to our younger team members and, as an athlete, she reflects the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect."
It is the second Winter Olympics in a row that an Otago competitor has been flagbearer.
Maniototo sheep farmer and curling skip Sean Becker had the honour in Turin in 2006.
Bray, who also competed in the Olympic snowboarding events in 2006, has represented New Zealand in snowboarding since 1995.
At the 2006 Games, she finished 16th in the halfpipe and 22nd in the boarder cross.
She finished fifth in the World Cup in Canada in the halfpipe last year and was ninth at the New Zealand Winter Games.
Bray will compete in the halfpipe at Whistler next Thursday.
The opening ceremony, which will start at 3pm today, will take place indoors for the first time.
- Additional reporting NZPA
