New Zealand team captivates audience with haka at 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games event

The New Zealand team performing a haka.

Marching into the opening ceremony of the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea on 29 January, the New Zealand team captivated the audience with an impromptu performance of a rugby scrum and haka. The team, led by Brian Benn from Otago, consists of 10 athletes and seven management staff. The New Zealand athletes are competing in snowboarding and alpine skiing. 

The 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games are being held from 29 January to 5 February in PyeongChang and Gangneung. Over 3000 athletes from 106 countries are participating in seven winter sports at the games.

Ambassador Patrick Rata spent time with the New Zealand team at the opening ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Myanmar’s pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and many other dignitaries. Further details about the Games can be found on its official website, http://www.2013sopoc.org/.