The Queen's baton, the official symbol of the Commonwealth Games, has landed in Queenstown as part of a six-day nationwide tour.
With just over 100 days until the Games, it was welcomed to the resort yesterday by Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy who received it at Queenstown Airport from New Zealand para athlete Holly Robinson who will compete at the Gold Coast 2018 event.
''It will be my first Commonwealth Games, as well, so it is all really exciting and a real honour to carry it.''
She said training was ''tracking well'' and she was confident ahead of the Australian event.
The baton was carried into Auckland Airport by Commonwealth Games weightlifting gold medallist Richie Patterson, before winging its way to Queenstown.
Dame Patsy said it was an ''excellent opportunity'' for the beauty of Queenstown to be televised across the world.
Following a formal welcome, attended by Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult and other dignitaries, she travelled to Arrowtown School to show the baton to local youngsters.
As a fervent sports fan, she described educational elements of the tour as ''hugely important''.
''It is a chance for them to see these athletes are real people and shows that one day they could fulfil their ambition of representing New Zealand.''
Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete Donna Wilkins then carried the baton to Cecil Peak before Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Olympic track cyclist Matt Randall took it for a leap off the Nevis Swing.
Randall said it would help build some excitement around the Games, particularly among local youngsters.
Wilkins agreed, saying, ''I think it is quite important because they are the next generation. It [the tour] teaches them what it is about. All the kids know about the Commonwealth Games but they don't know the tradition around it. It is an opportunity in going around and doing this, it means they learn that tradition.''
The New Zealand baton relay ends on Saturday, after visits to Kaikoura, Christchurch and a return leg to Auckland.
The Games will be held in April, and more than 6600 athletes and team officials will take part.
