0:00:02 > 0:00:06The Queen's Baton Relay is an epic journey.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10It will visit all 70 nations and territories of the Commonwealth...
0:00:10 > 0:00:13I want the people to know that
0:00:13 > 0:00:15we are not just a tiny dot island.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19..and touch the lives of some of the two billion people who make up
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- that community. - I feel so very happy.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25It will cross oceans and continents,
0:00:25 > 0:00:28visit modern cities and traditional villages.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33It is a symbol of what unites people spread across the planet.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Thank you, I hope all these kids will become players for the future.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42Adventurer Mark Beaumont is travelling with the baton.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46I feel absolutely at home, this is a beautiful way to explore.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48On this global route,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51he'll experience the Commonwealth at work...
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- No, no, harder than that.- Go!
0:00:53 > 0:00:56..at play, and in competition.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00The message from the Queen, contained in the baton,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03will be read out at the Games in Glasgow in July.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08But before that, it's on a journey round the Commonwealth.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12A Commonwealth united by the Queen's Baton Relay.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24This leg of the baton's journey
0:01:24 > 0:01:27takes it to the Commonwealth islands of the South Pacific.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Scattered across the world's largest ocean,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31these islands are home to
0:01:31 > 0:01:34some of the most remote communities on the planet.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36And the baton heads to Papua New Guinea.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Just south of the Equator,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51around 100 miles from Australia, lies Papua New Guinea -
0:01:51 > 0:01:54a nation with some of the world's most distinctive
0:01:54 > 0:01:56cultures and landscapes.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59THEY CHANT
0:01:59 > 0:02:01THEY CHEER
0:02:01 > 0:02:05It is home to more than six million people
0:02:05 > 0:02:06and 800 different languages.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13And as the Queen's Baton arrives, villagers are keen to give it
0:02:13 > 0:02:15a very traditional welcome.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17CHIEF WELCOMES VISITORS IN LOCAL DIALECT
0:02:17 > 0:02:19We're not allowed past until...
0:02:19 > 0:02:22until the village chief has seen the baton,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25accepted it, and we're allowed to carry on through.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29It's a wonderful welcome,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31but it can also be quite an intimidating welcome.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34VILLAGE CHIEF SHOUTS
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- This is the first time for the Queen's Baton here?- Yes.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56- I feel so very happy. - Wonderful.- Wonderful.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02Nature is at the heart of village life
0:03:02 > 0:03:06and the baton is to be honoured by some very special residents.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10The idea is to try and get an eel, which is
0:03:10 > 0:03:14famous in the province here, wrapped around the Queen's Baton.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I never thought I'd see that happening!
0:03:17 > 0:03:20To the people of the village, these are more than just fish.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22They are part of the family.
0:03:22 > 0:03:29Basically, it has grown up, it is part of the spirit of the people.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34THEY SING TRADITIONAL MUSIC
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We have seen incredible celebrations. And in some of the costumes,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48I've seen bird beaks, what does this mean?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50The songs represent a story,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52a legend, or something like that.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58So when people sing or dance, you see those beaks,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01or animal parts, it represents a legend to us.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Is there still a strong connection between the wildlife and the people?
0:04:05 > 0:04:09Exactly. Because the environment is basically our life.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25At Port Moresby Nature Park, conservationist Brett
0:04:25 > 0:04:30and the keeper introduce Mark to some of the more unusual locals.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- So this is the long-beaked echidna.- Wow!
0:04:35 > 0:04:38And you can see the very long beak on him there.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Hence how he gets his name. This is an egg-laying mammal.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47It's a connection between reptiles or birds to the mammal species.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- They're mammals that lay eggs?- Yes.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I mean, no other mammal, apart from the platypus, does this.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- Are these spikes?- Yes, they are spikes. Feel them, very spiky.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Wow, they are really, really sharp.- Very sharp.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04He is one of the most remarkable animals I have ever seen.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13So this is the Southern cassowary.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16There are three species of cassowary found in Papua New Guinea.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Do you find that the wildlife is different even to
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- the rest of the islands in the South Pacific?- Absolutely.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25In New Guinea, each mountain range is almost like an island itself,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28because each mountain you go on to, you will find a whole new species
0:05:28 > 0:05:31that you won't find across the valley on the other side.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34So, what is the connection between the people in Papua New Guinea
0:05:34 > 0:05:39- and that wild space?- Animals are traditionally used as wealth,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42so like the cassowary we are looking at here at the moment,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44if someone was going to get married,
0:05:44 > 0:05:49then the trade-off between giving the village the female as a wife,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52the other village would have to give back some sort of compensation.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56And so things like the cassowary is one of those things
0:05:56 > 0:05:57that would have been an exchange.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59So you get a wife for a bird?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01So you might get maybe...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04for one wife will cost you maybe five to eight cassowaries.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15This traditional way of thinking is evolving.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17And that can be seen here
0:06:17 > 0:06:19in the shipyards of the capital city of Port Moresby.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Newly-found oil and gas reserves
0:06:27 > 0:06:30are changing the country's industrial fortunes.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Young women are seizing new opportunities.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36When you both started here,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38were all the guys surprised that you were welding?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Why do you find this interesting?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The baton moves on to its next stop in the Pacific Ocean.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11The Solomon Islands.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28These 992 islands are known for their sandy beaches
0:07:28 > 0:07:30and relaxed way of life.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35But it is surprising that just ten years ago, the country was
0:07:35 > 0:07:38gripped by a civil war which had a lasting effect on the economy.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44THEY SING TRADITIONAL MUSIC
0:07:45 > 0:07:49With a peace deal and international aid, things are changing
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and its people are full of optimism.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Everywhere Mark looks, he sees coconut trees.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Could these hold the answer to some of the island's challenges?
0:08:06 > 0:08:07That's a big one.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Coconuts, also known as copra,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14are used in everything from food to soaps.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22But local entrepreneur John Vollrath is turning them into liquid gold.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- Clean, pure coconut oil? - Clear, plain coconut oil.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28Where has that idea come from?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Eight years ago,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34I started developing this because diesel was so high a price
0:08:34 > 0:08:37that we were running out of it and I needed to run my engines
0:08:37 > 0:08:40and my truck on coconut oil,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43because I couldn't buy diesel, because it was too expensive.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48The Solomon Islands are heavily dependent on fuel imports.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52But John believes that coconut oil could change all of that.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56We are only picking up 25% of the coconut that falls on the ground.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00And if we harvested every coconut that was under the tree,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03we would not be dependent on aid donors and we would be
0:09:03 > 0:09:07nearly independent on renewable energy for our power supply.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13So do your family work with the copra?
0:09:13 > 0:09:19Yes, and sell it to some
0:09:19 > 0:09:21small outlets in the village.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Do you think the copra will be important
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- for the Solomon Islands in the future?- Yes, very important.- Yes.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32But the coconut oil business is a hard nut to crack.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33This is tough work.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35That's good, good exercise in the morning.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Can I have a go? - Sure, you can have a go, try it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40OK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42No, no, no, harder than that.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45- One chop and it should split open.- OK.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Now, let me just explain something to you.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51When it's like this, you don't cut it,
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- you turn it around like that and you put the axe right there.- OK.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- That's the difference. - So, more force.- Yes, see that?
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Yes. Throw it over here.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- I'm not quick enough, am I? - No, that's good.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10To meet the growing demand,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14farms like this process over 2,000 coconuts a day.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17And in terms of the final product,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- everything from cooking to driving your car.- Everything -
0:10:20 > 0:10:22from cooking, from cutting the coconuts
0:10:22 > 0:10:26to drink the nice, good water, cut it open to eat the flesh,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28cooking the copra to make oil,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30putting the oil in your car and you drive around with it.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33So, it's coming from the tree all the way down
0:10:33 > 0:10:35back to your car in a cycle.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40A car is one thing, but can the coconut power a huge bulldozer?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51That, I find incredible -
0:10:51 > 0:10:55the coconut, as big a nut as it is, can power a beast like this.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- That's right.- And it's a lot of fun.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08The next stop in the Pacific is the island nation of Nauru.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Nauru is one of the smallest countries in the world.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It is just over eight miles squared,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22which makes the coastal road just over 12 miles long.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25There's not many countries in the world that you could run around
0:11:25 > 0:11:28in a couple of hours. So, that's what I'm going to try and do.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44I'm just halfway around now,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48and I don't mind saying that I've underestimated this challenge.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53It might be late in the day, the palm trees are casting long shadows
0:11:53 > 0:11:56across the road, but it is hot.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I feel like I've run a marathon already.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I did ask, but I couldn't find any locals
0:12:02 > 0:12:04who wanted to run around the island with me.
0:12:06 > 0:12:07I can see why now.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10But I am getting lots of support from them, lots of cheers.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12They obviously think I'm mad.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- I've run around a country!- Yeah!
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I've run around Nauru.
0:12:33 > 0:12:34It may be small...
0:12:35 > 0:12:37..but that was tough.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45And Nauru has some big achievements under its belt.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50With just 9,500 citizens, Nauru is the world's smallest republic.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56This makes its 28 Commonwealth Games medals a major success.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Were you excited to see the Queen's Baton?- I'm very excited.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Why were you excited?- Because...
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- The Queen will see our island. - Oh, yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08And what sports is Nauru good at?
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Weightlifting. Weightlifting and...
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- Weightlifting.- ..powerlifting. - Powerlifting.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Compared to other Commonwealth nations,
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Nauru is tiny and very remote.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21But that doesn't stop its people from dreaming big.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28Deamo Bagugo is a fireman, but he's also a powerlifting champion.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34It's the most rustic gym I've ever been in, it's like a Rocky gym.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37All the gyms in Nauru are all like this.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41But this is a bit cleaner one, because it's a fire station.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44So, what are the different disciplines in powerlifting?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48Well, there's three - squats, bench press and the deadlift.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Deamo is determined to succeed on the world stage.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57But for the moment he continues to break local records.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04I want the big world to know that we're not just a tiny dot island.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07We will be recognised in lifting heavyweights,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10like weightlifting and powerlifting.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12With the demonstration over,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14it's time for Mark to show what he's made of.
0:14:16 > 0:14:17All right, without killing myself,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20what's a good challenge on the squat?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Maybe 90, 100 kilos?
0:14:24 > 0:14:25Let's go for 90.
0:14:27 > 0:14:2990 kilos, that's what I weigh,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32so if I can do this, that's my own body weight.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- This is under half what you lift, isn't it?- Yup.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39He's not going to be impressed.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42Control all the way down,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45then explosive power when you breathe out.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Wish me luck.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Show 'em, Mark!
0:14:51 > 0:14:53You can do it, Big Mark.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Push!
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Strong!
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Yeah!
0:15:07 > 0:15:09CLAPPING
0:15:09 > 0:15:11I'm going to stick to cycling.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Nauru has a strong history when it comes to weightlifting.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Marcus Stephen was one of the country's
0:15:22 > 0:15:26most successful weightlifters, with seven Commonwealth gold medals,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29and he is also Nauru's former president.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34But his moment in the Commonwealth spotlight
0:15:34 > 0:15:36was only confirmed at the last minute.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42In 1990, we weren't a member of the Commonwealth Games back then.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44And we applied the night before.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I was the only athlete back then.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50We were accepted in the Commonwealth Games family the night before
0:15:50 > 0:15:51the opening ceremony,
0:15:51 > 0:15:56and of course we also won our first ever gold medal
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and silver medals there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01From such a small pool of potential athletes,
0:16:01 > 0:16:03how do you get so many competing at the top level?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05You know, we don't have very big gyms.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10But we have four, five good lifters, we try and persevere
0:16:10 > 0:16:14and make sure that these athletes get all the assistance
0:16:14 > 0:16:19that they need to get them at a level that we want them to get to.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23But for us, we don't look at excuses.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26If we've got to train, we've got to do something, that's what we do.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28We tend not to find excuses
0:16:28 > 0:16:33and that's like a teaching we have down to the young athletes.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Nauru's success is all the more extraordinary
0:16:41 > 0:16:45given its small population and limited facilities.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49And that real success is something the people on the next leg
0:16:49 > 0:16:51of the journey also hope to achieve.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The baton arrives in Tuvalu,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59the fourth smallest country in the world.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11Made up of nine atolls, and with a land area of just ten square miles,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15every bit of space on the islands is incredibly precious.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19And even the nation's only runway has other uses.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Just amazing, in the evenings,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26to see what a sociable place it is - everything from volleyball,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29touch rugby and soccer is being played here.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32I've never, ever seen in the world an airfield
0:17:32 > 0:17:34being used for sports like this.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36I wonder if they ever have to jump out of the way
0:17:36 > 0:17:37with the planes coming in.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Sport is everywhere in Tuvalu.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45And even though land is in short supply,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48people have made room for a national sports ground
0:17:48 > 0:17:51to encourage local talent.
0:17:51 > 0:17:57Our hope is to give our young people
0:17:57 > 0:18:01a chance to develop their skills,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05and to teach and educate our youth to become best players
0:18:05 > 0:18:08and to be ambassadors of Tuvalu for
0:18:08 > 0:18:10playing in other countries in the world.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18Since 1998, Tuvalu has been competing at the Commonwealth Games,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20but is yet to take home a medal.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25And it's hoped that this will change with future generations.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Thanks very much for our chance to touch this.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Thank you, I hope all these kids
0:18:32 > 0:18:36will become players for the future of Tuvalu.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37Thank you.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43From the islands of Tuvalu,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45the baton heads across to the country of Samoa.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54At the heart of the Pacific Ocean,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57almost halfway between the US and New Zealand,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59lie these volcanic islands.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07As the baton touches down, there's a warm welcome.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12TRIBAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Samoa's friendliness is matched by its competitive spirit.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Currently ranked seventh in the world,
0:19:21 > 0:19:25the Samoan rugby sevens team have achieved a lot.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Australia 10, Samoa 12.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32It's the upset the Commonwealth Games sevens has been waiting for.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35But a Commonwealth medal is a prize they have yet to bring home.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44I believe that we haven't been fortunate enough to achieve
0:19:44 > 0:19:46any medals in the past,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49so that is our ultimate goal, is to make sure we get to that level
0:19:49 > 0:19:53and not miss out again, and wait for another four years.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54I saw in the training session there,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57there seems to be a real bond between the players.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Does that go back to the family and the culture here in Samoa?
0:19:59 > 0:20:04Oh, definitely. Brotherhood and that togetherness we have,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08it's drilled and it's...our upbringing from our families.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So, it's not something new that you come into rugby and you do it.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14It's when you come from your families you already know.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17ALL CHANT
0:20:17 > 0:20:20The power behind the Samoan team is more than big build
0:20:20 > 0:20:22and intimidation.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26The squad put Mark through his paces.
0:20:26 > 0:20:27OK. OK.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32SHOUTING
0:20:32 > 0:20:35HE LAUGHS
0:20:35 > 0:20:36During the game
0:20:36 > 0:20:39we go as one unit, as one family,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42so we play the game as one heart as well.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Coming together as a family is at the very heart
0:20:48 > 0:20:50of the Samoan way of life.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53So, do you go through this process every Sunday?
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Yeah, we have to do this every Sunday.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58And who is it in the family that does this?
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Mainly me and my brother that does this every Sunday.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02And is it the boys' job to prepare the food?
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Yeah, it's always the boys' job.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08And it seems all the rugby training comes in handy
0:21:08 > 0:21:10when breaking a coconut.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13There's your coconut.
0:21:13 > 0:21:14You should give it a try.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17You just push it down. Put all your weight on it.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21I can't do it. HE LAUGHS
0:21:21 > 0:21:23I can't do it. That's tough.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- Yeah, it's really tough for you. - Yeah, for me.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Sunday is the only day that the Samoan family all get together,
0:21:33 > 0:21:35so that's why we do this every Sunday.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37It's like a special meal for us.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44The link from one player to another,
0:21:44 > 0:21:46it's very, very closer than you think.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48They're not going in there as players.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51They're going in there as warriors, as a war team.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53ALL CHANT
0:21:56 > 0:21:59ALL CHANT
0:21:59 > 0:22:01This is amazing to see close up...
0:22:01 > 0:22:03and it's what Samoa is known for.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06I mean, the rugby team has got a fierce reputation around the world
0:22:06 > 0:22:08and you can see why.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10I would not want to be standing
0:22:10 > 0:22:13on the other side of the pitch facing that.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19So far on this leg of the journey across the vast South Pacific,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22the baton has clocked up more than 5,000 miles
0:22:22 > 0:22:26and has visited five islands nations in 24 days.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Now the next stop - New Zealand -
0:22:31 > 0:22:35to Auckland, known as the city of sails.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43Perched between two harbours, and home to over a million people,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Auckland is New Zealand's largest city.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And to celebrate its arrival, the baton is taken to
0:22:50 > 0:22:53one of the city's most iconic buildings.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58At over 1,000 feet tall, the Sky Tower is the highest man-made
0:22:58 > 0:23:01structure in all of New Zealand.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05The view is impressive,
0:23:05 > 0:23:08but in a country that loves extreme sports
0:23:08 > 0:23:11there's also another way to see the sights.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17192m down to the ground.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Honestly? SHE LAUGHS
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- Honestly? - Honestly. Honestly. Tell me.
0:23:23 > 0:23:24SHE LAUGHS
0:23:24 > 0:23:26I am lost for words.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30That is a very... A very long way down.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34New Zealanders are known for adrenaline sports, so...
0:23:35 > 0:23:36..it's a must try.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39At moments like this, I think you're meant to say something profound.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I'm just trying to keep my lunch down.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46All right, everyone, here comes Mark. Three, two, one, go!
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Oh!
0:23:57 > 0:23:59HE LAUGHS
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- Well, how was that, Mark? - That was awesome.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04- That was fantastic.- Fantastic.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08BELLS CHIME
0:24:12 > 0:24:14But Mark's not on firm ground for long.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Auckland's heritage is built on a seafaring tradition.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27This city of sails has welcomed sailors for hundreds of years.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31HORN BLOWS
0:24:33 > 0:24:38I'm on a waka, a traditional Polynesian vessel.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39I though this would be a canoe
0:24:39 > 0:24:41because that's what wakas are often described as.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45This is unlike any canoe I've ever been on.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47It's huge. Absolutely huge.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Feels incredible strong with some big sails.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53You can see how you could go a long way on these.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03For generations,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07Polynesians have used the waka to explore the Pacific.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10There's lots and lots of stories of certain ancestors
0:25:10 > 0:25:13of ours who are known throughout...
0:25:13 > 0:25:17not just in Polynesia, but Pacific-wide, in journeys that
0:25:17 > 0:25:19took place over a thousand years ago,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21maybe even 1,500 years ago.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25New Zealand has picked up a really good reputation as sailors,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27especially competitive sailors,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29as boat builders.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34The maritime industry here is a really big industry and I think...
0:25:34 > 0:25:41the modern examples of the technology behind building
0:25:41 > 0:25:44and sailing and all those types of things are part of this huge
0:25:44 > 0:25:50genealogy of boat design and boat sailing that stems from the Pacific.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Are we tacking around?
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Bit more of a breeze out here.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Surprisingly heavy work.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21This is awesome.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32I feel absolutely at home. This is a beautiful way to explore.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47This journey has taken me
0:26:47 > 0:26:50through a fascinating pattern of Pacific islands,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52through to here in New Zealand, which is
0:26:52 > 0:26:55about as far as I could get from the Commonwealth Games back in Glasgow.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Most of these islands are incredibly minute compared to
0:26:59 > 0:27:01the Pacific Ocean, which they share,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04and include some of the smallest populations
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and remote nations in the world.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09But that doesn't stop them dreaming big.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11As well as aspiring to sporting greatness,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14I've seen a real passion to protect what is unique.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17That includes ancient family traditions
0:27:17 > 0:27:20as well as a natural diversity.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23As the Queen's Baton continues around the Pacific Ocean
0:27:23 > 0:27:26there is so much more to look forward to.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Join Mark next month, as he continues
0:27:29 > 0:27:32his epic Commonwealth journey.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34In the second part of his Pacific adventure,
0:27:34 > 0:27:35he'll go toe-to-toe
0:27:35 > 0:27:38with some sporting hopefuls...
0:27:39 > 0:27:45..and visit more of most isolated and colourful nations on the planet,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49before heading onto a whole new continent...
0:27:49 > 0:27:52to share in the Queen's Baton Relay.