It's 50 years ago since the Opening Ceremony for the Christchurch Commonwealth Games.
The "Friendly Games" as they were known, captured the country's attention for 10 days and were regarded as a major success.
New Zealand's athletes also fared well, winning 35 medals in total.
Among the most memorable of our nine golds came in the pool where a 17-year-old Christchurch local Jaynie Parkhouse won the 800-metre freestyle.
Swimming New Zealand president Jaynie Hudgell, and weightlifter Precious McKenzie - who competed for England in 1974 before switching allegiance to New Zealand spoke to Corin Dann.