New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia was represented by 249 athletes competing in over 19 disciplines, with 119 officials. This was the largest team that New Zealand had ever sent to a Commonwealth Games. New Zealand has competed in every Commonwealth Games since the first British Empire Games in 1930, and is one of only six teams to have done so. Selection is the responsibility of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. New Zealand did not perform nearly as well as expected, recording their worst performance since 1982. They had been expected to return with forty or fifty medals, but won only 31, finishing ninth. The flag bearer for the opening ceremony was Hamish Carter — the reigning Olympic triathlon champion. At the closing ceremony Greg Yelavich who had competed since the 1986 Games and won the most Commonwealth Games medals (11) of any New Zealander was flagbearer.

Medals

Gold

Athletics: Netball: Rugby Sevens: Shooting: Swimming:

Silver

Athletics: Badminton: Basketball: Cycling: Shooting: Squash: Swimming: Triathlon:

Bronze

Athletics: Cycling: Lawn Bowls: Shooting: Squash: Swimming: Synchronised Swimming: Triathlon: Weightlifting:

New Zealand's Commonwealth Games Team 2006

Aquatics

Swimming

Synchronised swimming

Athletics

Badminton

Basketball

Men's team competition

Women's Team Competition

Boxing

Cycling

Mountain biking

Road cycling

Track cycling

Hockey

Men's team

Head coach: Kevin Towns

Women's team

Head coach: Ian Rutledge

Gymnastics

Lawn Bowls

Head coach: Peter Belliss

Netball

Rugby Sevens

Shooting

Squash

Table Tennis

Triathlon

Weightlifting

Note

• – athletes with known injuries at time of selection who are required to prove full fitness by 15 January 2006.