Weightlifter David Liti and Judoka Moira de Villiers to Lead New Zealand at Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony

GLASGOW — In a significant moment for New Zealand sport, weightlifter David Liti and judo athlete Moira de Villiers have been selected to lead the national team at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. RNZ reported on Friday, 24 July 2026, that the duo will head the delegation of 114 athletes as they enter the stadium for the commencement of the ten-day international competition. Liti has been bestowed the title of Pou Hāpai - Tāne and will have the honour of carrying the New Zealand flag. The weightlifter described the selection as a dream realized, noting that since his first Commonwealth Games, he had viewed carrying the flag as an almost unreachable goal. He expressed immense pride in the opportunity to represent his peers and uphold the standards of the New Zealand team on the global stage. Moira de Villiers will serve as Pou Hāpai - Wahine, carrying Te Kaunoti, the King’s Baton, into the ceremony. De Villiers shared that the news, delivered via a phone call from New Zealand team chef de mission Nigel Avery, was an unbelievable moment. She stated that the role is a chance to represent her family, her club, and the judo community, alongside the entire nation. The inclusion of the Pou Hāpai titles reflects the New Zealand team's ongoing commitment to Māori cultural frameworks and terminology within their leadership structure. The appointments were announced just hours before the opening ceremony, as the New Zealand contingent prepares for over a week of competition across various sporting disciplines in Scotland.