The Baton's visit will connect some of the country's best-known athletes, including swimmer Sophie Pascoe, shot-putter Dame Valerie Adams and weightlifter Richie Patterson.

It will also bring together Commonwealth greats such as runners Sir John Walker and Dick Taylor, thrower Valerie Young and weightlifter Precious McKenzie, as well as the New Zealand public. 

Patterson, who won the men's 85 kilograms weightlifting gold medal at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, will carry the Baton into Auckland Airport Marae tomorrow morning.

Hosted by Tainui, a tribal waka confederation of New Zealand Māori iwi, the formal welcome ceremony will be a traditional powhiri.  

Guests include New Zealand politician Peeni Henare, Commonwealth Games athletes and New Zealand sporting leaders.

It will mark the start of the first leg of its six-day visit to New Zealand.

"The Queen’s Baton Relay is really a great way to bring people together ahead of the Gold Coast Games," Patterson, who was New Zealand's flagbearer at the Glasgow 2014 Closing Ceremony, said.

Patterson said he will be looking forward to swapping stories during the week with McKenzie, who won bantamweight weightlifting gold for New Zealand at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Canadian city Edmonton.  

"He's a real inspiration for athletes like me who can learn a lot from his experiences," he added.

Patterson will then pass the Baton onto Para-athlete Holly Robinson, who will head back to the airport for a flight to Queenstown.

The Baton will be received at Queenstown Airport by Dame Patsy Reddy, who will take over for a visit to Arrowtown Primary School.

Olympic and Commonwealth Games athlete Donna Wilkins, who competes in netball and basketball, will then carry the Baton to Cecil Peak for a photo opportunity with some South Island scenery.

Thereafter, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist and Olympic track cyclist Matt Randall will take the Baton for a tandem leap on the Nevis Swing.

Adams, who will take part in a visit to Otara Markets with the Baton on Saturday (December 23), said she’s looking forward to connecting sport and athletes with communities.

"The Queen’s Baton Relay is an awesome chance to get out and talk to people about how sport can make a difference," she said.

"I'm a big supporter of our Pacific communities and taking the Queen’s Baton to the Otara Markets will give me a chance to meet people, talk about the Gold Coast Games and encourage people to get active and involved in sport."

New Zealand Olympic Committee chief executive Kereyn Smith added: "The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be outstanding for New Zealand.

"The Queen's Baton Relay gives communities a chance to get excited about the Games, try out some Commonwealth sports and meet some of our best-known athletes."

Smith is due to take part in a formal handover of the Baton to the Gold Coast’s Yugambeh people at the conclusion of the Relay.

The Baton will also visit Kaikoura and Christchurch on Tuesday (December 19) and Wednesday (December 20) respectively.

It will then travel to Auckland CBD on Thursday (December 21) before passing through Auckland North Shore on Friday (December 22) and South Auckland on Saturday (December 23).

With a message from Her Majesty the Queen secured inside, the Baton is a symbol of the Commonwealth Games.

Its arrival in New Zealand occurs with just over 100 days until the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony on April 4.