The pounamu medals have been made by a Hokitika team of carvers led by Ken Tainui and will be presented to athletes.
Three original pieces of music composed by Dr Richard Nunns and performed on traditional Maori instruments will be played during the event, including a special fanfare at the opening ceremony in Queenstown on Friday, August 21.
Dr Nunns, an authority on nga taonga puoro (Maori traditional musical instruments), composed the fanfares using two traditional instruments: the pukaea, a long wooden trumpet; and the putatara, a conch shell with mouthpiece.
"[These instruments] signalled the beginning of rituals and were used for calling, welcoming and announcing, which fits nicely with the spirit of the opening ceremony," Mrs Klap said.
At the opening ceremony, Ngai Tahu will welcome the athletes with a traditional powhiri.
Flag bearers from each competing nation will arrive across Lake Wakatipu in jet-boats before the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, declares the games open.
