Games opening ceremony underway in Melbourne

The flying tram, part of the entertainment from the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Melbourne XVII Commonwealth Games. Picture / Mark Mitchell

The opening ceremony of the 18th Commonwealth Games is currently underway at the MCG in Melbourne.

The show kicked off with the crowds viewing on big screens a flotilla of craft sailing upstream on the Yarra River.

A winged tram made it's entrance flying over the roof and into the stadium, before dropping off passengers.

The New Zealand team, with triathlete Hamish Carter carrying the flag, are due to make their appearance at around midnight NZT.

Delta Goodrem will sing a salute to the athletes, entitled Together We Are One, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is also to make an appearance.

- NZPA, HERALD ONLINE STAFF