1990 Commonwealth Games
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| Host city | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
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| Motto | This is the Moment | ||
| Nations participating | 55 | ||
| Athletes participating | 2,074 | ||
| Events | 213 events in 10 sports | ||
| Opening ceremony | 24 January 1990 | ||
| Closing ceremony | 3 February 1990 | ||
| Officially opened by | Prince Edward | ||
| Officially closed by | Elizabeth II | ||
| Queen's Baton Final Runner | Mark Todd and Peter Snell | ||
| Main venue | Mount Smart Stadium | ||
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The 1990 Commonwealth Games were held in Auckland, New Zealand from 24 January – 3 February 1990. It was the 14th Commonwealth Games, and part of New Zealand's 1990 sesquicentennial celebrations. Participants competed in ten sports: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, judo, lawn bowls, shooting and weightlifting. The Triathlon was a demonstration event.
The main venue was the Mount Smart Stadium. The Games were awarded to Auckland 27 July 1984 at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Perth, Australia, had withdrawn from the bid contest leaving New Delhi, India, as the sole opponent to Auckland's bid.
The opening of the games comprised a variety of events, including the arrival of The Queen's representative The Prince Edward (her youngest son), the arrival of the Queen's Baton and many Māori ceremonial stories.
The opening ceremony itself started off with the Auckland Commonwealth Games Choir singing the Song of Welcome. Upon the arrival of The Prince Edward, the Māori in attendance, gave him a Challenge of a welcome. This is conducted by a Māori placing a wooden batton 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 The Prince Edward to inspect the guard of honour. After which was the introduction of the participating countries of the Commonwealth. During the introduction of the countries, the choir at attendance would display the flag of the announced country with boards.
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