at New Zealand’s sporting contacts with apartheid-era South Africa
New Zealand has hosted the Games three times:
- 1950 British Empire Games – Auckland
- 1974 British Commonwealth Games – Christchurch
- 1990 Commonwealth Games – Auckland
Historically, New Zealand has generally been 4th or 5th, though was up to 3rd (1950 & 1962), and down to 11th (1970 & 2010) and 9th (2006). At the first games in 1930, New Zealand’s 4th position was ahead of Australia at 5th. At the conclusion of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, New Zealand has earned 159 gold medals, 220 silver medals and 278 bronze medals. In the all-time medal tally New Zealand is ranked 5th behind Australia, England, Canada and India.
Notable competitors for New Zealand include Greg Yelavich in sports shooting, who has won 12 medals at 6 games from 1986 to 2010. Rowan Brassey has also competed at 6 games, and has won 3 medals in lawn bowls. Gary Anderson won 3 golds, 2 silvers and 3 bronze medals for New Zealand in cycling. Athlete Valerie Young has won the most gold medals (5) of any New Zealand competitor.
