New Zealand made a proud entrance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, with a 17‑strong contingent marching behind two of the country’s brightest winter sport stars.
Three‑time Olympic medallist Zoi Sadowski‑Synnott and freestyle skier Ben Barclay led the way as Aotearoa’s flagbearers, carrying the flag in the town of Livigno, where Team NZ was based.
The Parade of Athletes began with Greece and concluded with Italy, the host country, in line with Olympic protocol.
While the headline acts — including Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli — performed live in Milan’s San Siro Stadium, other parts of Friday night’s ceremony (local time) unfolded simultaneously in Livigno, Predazzo and Cortina.
Organisers broadcast between locations to ensure athletes based in far‑flung venues could still take part in the Parade of Athletes.
Sadowski-Synnott and Barclay were named as New Zealand's flagbearers during a team gathering at New Zealand Lodge yesterday.
Sadowski-Synnott, who was the first New Zealander to win a Winter Olympic gold medal, said she was "very honoured" to be selected as flagbearer.
"To share this with Beano (Ben) who I've spent a lot of my career with, not only on my snowboard but off it too, is special. He's just an all-round great human being and I'm proud to be sharing this moment with him," she said.
"I just hope to lead the NZ Team in a way that can make everyone proud, it means a lot to me."
Barclay said it was an honour to be chosen as a flagbearer alongside "such a good friend as Zoi".
"To lead the team into the opening ceremony is a privilege for both of us," he said.
"When the kākahu was put on our shoulders it gave me a bit of a shiver, it's an honour that not many people get to experience and to carry that forward throughout this Olympic experience will be incredible."
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