New Zealand's team uniforms for the Olympics have been revealed today as the athletes prepare to move down to Rio de Janeiro.
New Zealand's Rio 2016 uniform on display at the Prime Minister's Olympic Gala Dinner in Auckland. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Designed by New Zealand artist Shane Hansen, the costumes are simple, in black and light blue with touches of silver and green, which the designer said represented the nation's night skies and wide open spaces.
"It's cool... I think it works really well with the whole Rio theme" - New Zealand Olympic pole vaulter Eliza McCartney
The outfits - made by Chinese company PEAK - also feature references to that night sky icon, the Southern Cross, with four silver stars reflecting across the casual dress clothing.
The silver fern features on all items, in an emblem of Olympic rings.
New Zealand Olympic Team chef de mission Rob Waddell said the range would look great on the athletes.
Speaking before the uniforms were revealed at a gala dinner in Auckland, New Zealand Olympic pole vaulter Eliza McCartney said she thought they were a good fit.
"It's nice, I really like it. I think it works really well with the whole Rio theme," she said.
"My uniform has to be a little bit different [from the items modelled] I guess because I don't want to get anything caught when I'm running and jumping."
More than 21,000 items have been produced for the team's 350 athletes and support staff, each of them made from sports fabrics designed for the Rio winter climate.
The team's formal wear is in simple black merino wool emblazoned with the rings and fern in clean white.
And the opening ceremony uniform will be revealed at the Maracana Stadium on 5 August.
The team's official clothing partner, PEAK, will tomorrow sign a deal to dress athletes at games through to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022.