Three-time Commonwealth Games champion Joelle King and two-time Olympic bronze medallist Tom Walsh have been named New Zealand Team Flagbearers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The pair were formally announced as Ngā Pou Hapai - flagbearers - by Chef de Mission Nigel Avery at a team function held on Wednesday at New Zealand House in Birmingham.

The New Zealand Team function was attended by around 250 team members and was presided over by Her Excellency the Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro. The ceremony featured a cultural performance involving NZOC Kuia NZOC, Ranui Ngarimu, along with Kaumatua Derek Lardelli.

Jioelle is one of New Zealand's most decorated Commonwealth Games athletes, having won six medals, including three gold. She says she grew up in awe of New Zealand's flagbearers.

'I'm really honoured to be adding my name to an amazing list of Commonwealth Games flagbearers,” says Joelle.

'There's such a great team behind us so it's going to be really special to lead them onto such a big stage.”

Joelle will compete in the singles, women's doubles and mixed doubled at Birmingham 2022.

Tom says he's thrilled to be carrying the New Zealand flag alongside King.

'I've reflected on this a bit and I'm really proud,” says Tom.

'It's something that not many people get to do. I'm really looking forward to leading the team, waving our flag, and soaking up the whole experience.”

Tom is a two-time Olympic medallist, winning back-to-back shot bronze medals at the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games. He is also a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, winning gold at Gold Coast 2018 and silver at Glasgow 2014.

The athletes were each presented with a pounamu pendant to be worn by as they lead the New Zealand Team into the Opening Ceremony. The pounamu was carved for the New Zealand Team by Ngāi Tahu master carver Bevan Climo, with Rakinui (the Sky Father) pounamu to be worn by the male flag bearer and Papatūānuku (the Earth Mother) pounamu to be worn by the female flag bearer.

It will be the first time a male and female athlete - Te Pou Hapai Wahine, Te Pou Hapai Tane - have jointly carried the New Zealand flag at a Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, with a change in Games rules allowing for the naming of both a male and a female flagbearer.

The flagbearers are chosen by the New Zealand Olympic Team Chef de Mission taking into account a wide range of factors including past performances, ability to lead and inspire New Zealand athletes, competition preparation and performance standards.

'These two athletes have inspired New Zealanders with their performances for more than a decade and they epitomise the special values and culture of our team,” says Nigel.

'We know they'll do us proud as they lead our team into the Opening Ceremony, and we look forward to watching them compete over the next few weeks.”

'We also acknowledge Ngāi Tahu Kuia Ranui Ngarimu and master carver Bevan Climo for gift of these special taonga."

Dame Sophie Pascoe was the last Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony flagbearer, leading the team into the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in 2018.

The Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony will be held on July 28 at 8pm UK time or 7am Friday July 29 NZ time at Alexander Stadium.

The New Zealand Team for Birmingham 2022 is made up of 233 athletes, from 19 sports and two Para-sports.

The Games will run from July 28 to August 8.

Joelle King

Squash player Joelle King is one of New Zealand's most decorated Commonwealth Games athletes, having won an impressive six medals.

Gold Coast 2018 was King's most successful games. She won gold in the women's singles, gold in the women's doubles (alongside Amanda Landers-Murphy) and bronze in the mixed doubles (alongside Paul Coll).

Joelle has competed at two other editions of the Commonwealth Games, claiming a bronze in the singles event at Glasgow 2014. At Delhi 2010 she won silver in the mixed doubles and gold in the women's doubles.

Lining up for her fourth Commonwealth Games, Joelle is one of the in-form players of 2022 having won the Manchester Open in consecutive events and made the semi-finals at the British Open.

Joelle is a powerful hitter and continues to keep younger players at bay. She is of Ngāti Porou descent and was born and raised in Cambridge.

Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh is a two-time Olympic medallist, winning back-to-back shot bronze medals at the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games. His Oceania record of 22.90m stands sixth on the all-time world rankings.

Tom is all set for his third Commonwealth Games appearance in Birmingham. At the 2014 Glasgow Games he won shot put silver before upgrading to gold at the Gold Coast edition of the Commonwealth Games.

In March 2022 he once again delivered when it counted, winning bronze by equalling his national indoor record of 22.31m at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade.

Coached by Hayden Hall, Tom was born and raised in Timaru and is a trained builder and keen golfer.

About the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Birmingham 2022 will welcome 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories for 11 days of thrilling competition, from July 28 – August 8 2022.

The New Zealand Team will be represented by 233 athletes, competing in 19 sports and two Para sports. Women's T20 cricket and 3x3 basketball are set to debut on the programme.

Birmingham 2022 will bring the largest ever Commonwealth Games Para-programme to life, and will make global sport history by becoming the first ever major multi-sport event to award more medals to women than men.

The Games will be the largest sporting event in the UK since the London 2012 Olympic Games.