New Zealand at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia was represented by 249 athletes competing in over 19 disciplines, with 119 officials. This was the largest team that New Zealand had ever sent to a Commonwealth Games. New Zealand has competed in every Commonwealth Games since the first British Empire Games in 1930, and is one of only six teams to have done so. Selection is the responsibility of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. New Zealand did not perform nearly as well as expected, recording their worst performance since 1982. They had been expected to return with forty or fifty medals, but won only 31, finishing ninth. The flag bearer for the opening ceremony was Hamish Carter — the reigning Olympic triathlon champion. At the closing ceremony Greg Yelavich who had competed since the 1986 Games and won the most Commonwealth Games medals (11) of any New Zealander was flagbearer. Medals Gold Athletics: Valerie Vili, Women's shot put Nick Willis, Men's 1500 m Netball: Leana de Bruin, Belinda Colling, Vilimaina Davu, Temepara George, Laura Langman, Jessica Tuki, Anna Rowberry, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene Van Dyk, Casey Williams & Adine Wilson, Women's Netball Rugby Sevens: Sosene Anesi, Josh Blackie, Tamati Ellison, Nigel Hunt, Tafai Ioasa, Cory Jane, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Lote Raikabula, Amasio Valence, Alando Soakai & Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Men's Rugby Sevens Shooting: Graeme Ede, Men's Trap Swimming: Moss Burmester, Men's 200 m Butterfly Silver Athletics: Tony Sargisson, Men's 50 km Walk Badminton: Sara Runesten-Petersen & Daniel Shirley, Mixed Doubles Basketball: Ed Book, Dillon Boucher, Pero Cameron, Casey Frank, Paul Henare, Mike Homik, Troy McLean, Aaron Olson, Tony Rampton, Lindsay Tait, Mika Vukona & Paora Winitana, Men's Basketball Micaela Cocks, Rebecca Cotton, Aneka Kerr, Donna Loffhagen, Angela Marino, Jessica McCormack, Kate McMeeken-Ruscoe, Lisa Pardon, Charmian Purcell, Jody Tini, Lisa Wallbutton & Nonila Wharemate, Women's Basketball Cycling: Rosara Joseph, Women's Cross Country Hayden Roulston, Men's Points Race Shooting: Juliet Etherington, Women's 50 m Rifle Prone Gregory Yelavich, Men's 25 m Centre Fire Pistol Squash: Shelley Kitchen & Tamsyn Leevey, Women's Doubles Swimming: Dean Kent, Men's 200 m Individual Medley Triathlon: Bevan Docherty, Men's Individual Samantha Warriner, Women's Individual Bronze Athletics: Angela McKee, Women's High Jump Cycling: Gordon McCauley, Men's Time Trial Hayden Godfrey, Tim Gudsell, Peter Latham, & Marc Ryan, Men's Team Pursuit Lawn Bowls: Jan Khan & Marina Khan, Women's Pairs Shooting: Juliet Etherington & Kathryn Mead,