The opening of the games comprised a variety of events, including the arrival of
The Queen's representative
Prince Edward (her youngest son), the arrival of the
Queen's Baton, and many
Māori ceremonial stories. The Queens Baton was carried across the Auckland Harbour by the vessel "Ceduna". The opening ceremony itself started off with the
Auckland Commonwealth Games Choir singing the
Song of Welcome. Upon the arrival of Prince Edward, the Māori in attendance, gave him a
Challenge of a welcome. This is conducted by a Māori placing a wooden baton on the ground. To see if the visitor comes in peace or not, the visitor must pick it up. The New Zealand national anthem "
God Defend New Zealand" was sung during a ceremonial fourteen gun salute from nearby
One Tree Hill. This was followed by the
New Zealand Army Guard Commander allowing Prince Edward to inspect the
guard of honour. After which was the introduction of the participating countries of the Commonwealth, Scotland, entering first as the hosts of the
previous games, and New Zealand entering last as hosts. During the introduction of the countries, the choir would display the flag of the announced country with boards. When all the athletes finally sat down, the cultural segment ceremonies began. The first act was the Māori women performing a "Song of Welcome" for the athletes with the use of
Poi. The Māori women then gave some of the athletes a
Hongi. Next was the Māori story of how New Zealand was formed according to legend; it a narration of how the
Polynesians found their way to what was to become New Zealand, and how New Zealand was formed between
Rangi and Papa, the
sky father and
earth mother. The story then moved on to the coming of religion and European migration. This was demonstrated with a formation of the
Union Jack, to show the colonisation by the British. Dame
Whina Cooper then made a speech about the
Treaty of Waitangi signed in 1840 that brought about peace and stability of modern New Zealand. Introduction of the European communities was next with music and native dancing from European countries such as Italy, Poland, Greece, Netherlands, Scotland, Ireland, Austria, Wales and England, and music and native dancing also from Asian countries such as China, Sri Lanka and India. From here, many of the neighbouring
Pacific Islanders made their entrance with the rhythmic tempo of the Pacific Island drum beat.This was to show the then complete migration of people to New Zealand. Sir
Howard Morrison then lead New Zealand in singing the folk song Tukua-a-hau. After Morrison, the Queen's Baton arrived at the stadium where Prince Edward announced the opening of the games which was followed by the
Athletes Pledge. Fireworks followed and was capped off with a night time flyover by nine
A-4 Skyhawk jets of the
Royal New Zealand Air Forces
75 Squadron. The ceremony was concluded by the singing of the game's motto "This is the moment" as performers and athletes exited the stadium. == Closing ceremony ==