Five years of build-up has become a reality after the 22nd Commonwealth Games began in Birmingham in England this morning.
New Zealand's flag bearers Tom Walsh and Joelle King lead their country's athletes in the Parade of Nations during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Photo: AFP / Andy Buchanan
More than 5000 athletes representing 72 nations and territories are in the West Midlands to compete in 19 sports and 280 medal events.
The opening ceremony took place in Birmingham's Alexander Stadium where the crowd was treated to a wide range of choreographed performances executive produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.
The weird and wonderful performances included everything from a 10-metre tall animatronic bull, strange puppets, a sea of Charlie Chaplins and hundreds of classic British cars.
Tom Walsh and Joelle King led the Kiwis into the stadium as the Commonwealth's athletes joined the party, nation by nation.
The Commonwealth Games Queen's baton relay was then completed by the President of Commonwealth Games England and former track and field athlete Denise Lewis, after which Prince Charles read out a message from Queen Elizabeth.
To conclude the ceremony, veteran bands Duran Duran and Black Sabbath brought back a few blasts from the past to serenade the Birmingham crowds.
New Zealand has sent 233 athletes - with a record 54 percent of women in the team. They will be looking to at least equal the 2018 effort on the Gold Coast - 15 gold medals and 46 in total.
The first Kiwi athletes in action are the lawn bowls teams while Olympic bronze medallist Hayden Wilde is a strong medal hope in the triathlon.
See how the ceremony unfolded here:
