NZ Team Chef de Mission and Wānaka local Marty Toomey, has helped welcome the first group of New Zealand athletes, coaches, and support staff to Italy ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

The group arrived in Livigno this week and were formally welcomed to the Olympic Village with the NZ Team haka, Pou Tangata, before receiving their ‘Manawaroa’ pounamu taonga.

Marty said the arrival marked a significant milestone for the campaign.

Marty Toomey

“It’s awesome, the Games get real when the athletes come in. We’ve spent a bit of time getting ready, so now it’s go time,” he said.

“For us it’s about setting everything up, ‘kiwifying’ it a bit - posters, reminders of home, uniform on the bed. We want the athletes to come in, get their uniform on and start getting ready to go.”

Marty said the presentation of the pounamu was a particularly meaningful moment.

“It’s always a special time when the athletes receive their pounamu, but this was especially poignant given the athletes were part of the design process,” he said.

The arrival signals the beginning of New Zealand’s on-the-ground Olympic campaign, with the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games running from February 6 to February 22, 2026.

PHOTO: Supplied