Olympics: First Kiwis ready to advance on Australia

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

New Zealand's advance party leave for Sydney tonight, ready to take over the keys to their corner of the Olympic village and turn it into a Kiwi backyard.

Former Olympic athletes hockey player Peter Miskimmin and tennis player Belinda Cordwell have been given the task of making the New Zealanders feel at home in their village home.

They will put up New Zealand posters on the walls of the 14 Kiwi houses, and have a BBQ out back.

They're even considering the "Scarfie" feel - bringing in some big sofas and making a grandstand out of wooden crates - for the team lounge.

They will have a week to set up before the first New Zealand competitors move in.

Herald Online Olympic News