Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini has been honoured as Te Pou Hapai Wahine, the female flagbearer, for the New Zealand Olympic team for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 28-year-old leader was presented the kākahu (cloak) from Ranui Ngarimu at an emotional ceremony with her team and family in Tauranga before flying to Australia this week for the Oceania Sevens.

New Zealand Team chef de mission Rob Waddell formally named Hirini a flagbearer alongside two-time Olympic champion rower Hamish Bond at a ceremony in Auckland last night.

It will be the first time a male and female athlete have jointly carried the New Zealand flag at an Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, with a change in games rules allowing for the naming of both a male and a female flagbearer.

Hirini, Olympian 1276, says she grew up in awe of New Zealand's Olympians and the country's flagbearers.

'This means so much to me and my family,” say Hirini

'Being able to carry the flag and represent the women's sevens team and the wider New Zealand Team at the Opening Ceremony is going to be such a huge honour. I can't wait to represent my country at these Games.”

Bond says he'll be extremely proud to carry the flag alongside Hirini.

'If you look back on the people who have been our flagbearers over the years it's a pretty amazing bunch of athletes so to be bestowed this opportunity is really special to me,” he says.

'Our flagbearers have represented us with distinction, pride and respect in the past and I'm really honoured to be adding my name to that list.”

Waddell says the pair were chosen as they exemplify the values and culture of the New Zealand Team.

'Sarah and Hamish are outstanding athletes and are also leaders off the field of play,” said Waddell.

'These athletes are role models and bring a huge amount of mana to our team. I'm extremely proud to be naming them as flagbearers.

'They will follow in the footsteps of some of New Zealand's greatest sportspeople when they lead the New Zealand Team into the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on July 23rd.”

One month to Olympic Games

With just 30 days until the Olympic Games officially begin Waddell says New Zealand Team planning and preparation is in full swing.

With 136 athletes now selected, the first teams arrive in Japan for heat acclimation and pre-camps in the next couple of weeks, says Waddell.

'Behind the scenes there's an huge level of detailed work going on to support the athletes.

'This will be a games like no other but we are doing everything necessary to support the incredible focus and commitment to excellence of the New Zealand Team athletes.”

An advance party will arrive in Tokyo early next month to prepare for athletes checking into the Olympic Village from July 19. Athletes will enter and leave the village in waves, based on their competition dates.

Waddell says strict measures are in place to ensure athletes stay well and are able protect themselves, their teammates, and the wider Japanese public.

'Testing is going to be a major feature of our lives in Japan, along with strict mask wearing, social distancing and hygiene management.

'We're really pleased that around 80 per cent of everyone in and around the Olympic Athletes' Village will be vaccinated against Covid-19.

'We acknowledge it is an extremely challenging time to be hosting an Olympic Games and we want the Japanese public to know that the New Zealand Team is very aware of our responsibility. Our athletes know they are in a privileged position and will be taking every step they can to protect themselves, their teammates, and the people of Japan.”

In spite of the challenges, Waddell says New Zealand's athletes are looking forward to the Olympic Games.

'For most athletes, the Olympic Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity. They're really looking forward to competing in Tokyo and giving it everything they've got against the best athletes in the world.”

The New Zealand Team for Tokyo is expected to be our biggest ever Olympic team with more than 210 athletes set to wear the silver fern.