The New Zealand women's rugby sevens team celebrate on the podium after defeating Australia. Photo / AP
Our team at the Commonwealth Games share their favourite moments.
1 Exhilarating moment?
The last lap of the men's cross-country mountain biking. I'd written off Sam Gaze after he stopped for a flat tyre and started voicing a story on Anton Cooper becoming a back-to-back gold medallist. Gaze forced me to tear up the script with an astonishing comeback that got everyone's heart pumping.
2 Cringeworthy moment?
Sam Gaze's behaviour post-race. Unfortunately Gaze's actions after his comeback overshadowed his astounding feat. I have never seen a professional Kiwi athlete be such an ungracious winner.
3 Odd moment?
Dylan Kennett sitting up at the end of the bronze medal race in the men's individual pursuit and celebrating with little more than a wave. I hadn't seen anything like it before in track cycling. He was accused of being disrespectful to his Australian opponent. Kennett claimed the opposite, saying he didn't want to lap him.
4 Interviewing moment?
Katrina Grant and Paul Coll fronting up and doing interviews after devastating defeats. Grant after the Silver Ferns' record loss to England and Coll following his loss in the men's singles squash final. Both held back tears but neither shirked responsibility.
5 Social moment?
Getting a couple of mentions on the prolific NZOC Instagram story. #loveaboomerang
6 Overall moment encapsulating the Games?
The warm reception Laurel Hubbard received when she took to the stage in the women's 90kg-plus weightlifting class. The Games organisers have trumpeted inclusivity and this was its first major test.
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1 Exhilarating moment?
David Liti was confronted with a 229kg barbell to win the 105kg-plus weightlifting and ensure the New Zealand team secured a medal. He relaxed, and delivered. Seeing someone with that mass over their head always verges on the surreal. The 21-year-old provided brilliant theatre, even blowing a kiss at the judges after a successful snatch.
2 Cringeworthy moment?
Sam Gaze makes for a soft but indisputable target. He secured the mountain bike gold with an extraordinary comeback, then questioned rival Anton Cooper's sportsmanship for taking off on the final lap while his bike was under repair. Fortunately, Gaze fronted up the next day and offered contrition for his lack of grace.
3 Odd moment?
Zharnel Hughes crossed the 200m finish line first and was completing his victory lap in front of Brenton Vannisselroy and myself. We looked at our screens, which said he'd been disqualified, after disrupting rival Jereem Richards in his lane. He wandered 20m further and was confronted by an official who told him the news. We knew before he did.
4 Interviewing moment?
A distraught Richie Patterson fronting up after his dream of claiming a third Commonwealth Games medal in front of two-year-old son Cooper came to a halt in the snatch phase of the 85kg competition. The 34-year-old retired on the spot after a 12-year career at elite level.
5 Social moment?
Congregating at our local, The Loose Moose, on a few occasions after a day's action. The burgers and beers were almost as good as the behind-the-scenes yarns the NZME team spun about their experiences. Great for generating ideas, too. The team that drinks together, thinks together.
6 Overall moment encapsulating the Games?
The applause accompanying Laurel Hubbard's arrival on to the women's 90kg-plus weightlifting platform. The Commonwealth Games movement faced a moment of truth testing their "Friendly Games" moniker and "humanity, equality, destiny" mantra after deciding the transgender athlete could compete. Officials, and the Gold Coast crowd, passed the exam in a triumph for human rights.
1 Exhilarating moment?
I'm unsure if I've been more emotionally drained than I was after the women's sevens. Kelly Brazier stampeding down the left wing like a racehorse was inspiring. And then watching skipper Sarah Goss fight back tears when seeing her whanau, and talking about how they did it for their ill mate Ruby Tui brought a tear to the eye of this journalist.
2 Cringeworthy moment?
The constant "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" chanting. I get people are proud of their country and the Games were in their backyard, but two dozen every event gets a bit boring very quickly. Especially when you have just been trounced by a New Zealand team. Next time you think of complaining about the "Aaaaaaaalllll Blaaaaaaaacks" chant, consider yourself lucky you weren't exposed to this.
3 Odd moment?
The inconsistency of not being able to take a coffee into the Games. Or an environmentally friendly water bottle. I understand the whole security angle, but sometimes common sense needs to prevail. In terms of on-field action, Cassie Staples from the Aussie women's sevens team kicking the ball into touch when the final was locked at 14-14 was a big, old head scratcher.
4 Interviewing moment?
Sarah Goss after the women's sevens final win. Slapped away my hand in exchange for a hug. One of my favourite interviews I've ever done.
5 Social moment?
The interaction between us as media and the Kiwi teams and athletes involved. They made themselves readily accessible after their matches and events, and gave good responses to what were at times bloody tough moments. To be able to share in their success has been a privilege.
6 Overall moment encapsulating the Games?
Walking through central Gold Coast late at night after another day working the rounds, to then be greeted by what appeared to be an ongoing party. Everyone just wanted to have fun and enjoy themselves in a controlled, welcoming and entertaining way while chatting about sport. Bloody well done to the locals.
1 Exhilarating moment?
Alana Barber's silver in the race walking, with her father travelling outside New Zealand for the first time in 45 years to witness it, was something special. But it is difficult to go past the Black Ferns sevens team's dramatic extra time gold. Given their heartbreak at the Rio Olympics, Kelly Brazier's match-winning try reversing emotions seemed only fitting for a group that has endured an emotional two-year journey.
2 Cringeworthy moment?
Silver Ferns losing to Malawi for the first time. This was unacceptable, confirming a death spiral for coach Janine Southby. The Ferns were lucky to make the semis and even missing a medal for the first time did not truly reflect how bad this campaign was.
3 Odd moment?
Confusion reigned among supporters with only one verse of the New Zealand anthem playing at gold medal ceremonies. It was telling, though, to see so many athletes singing the Maori version. From David Nyika to the women's Black Sticks to both sevens teams, the vast majority sung the Maori lyrics.
4 Interviewing moment?
Speaking to Tom Walsh immediately after he claimed New Zealand's first male shot put gold by 27cm, it was impossible not to be impressed with his honesty at not performing to his expectations. Joy and frustration bottled by the humble Timaru builder.
5 Social moment?
Witnessing a gold medallist walk into a restaurant - still in team kit and medal draped around her neck - to applause from all those in the vicinity evoked warm fuzzies ... even if she was Australian. New Zealand boxing trainer Jake Rapira dyeing his beard blue and red after the team claimed five medals was also amusing.
6 Overall moment encapsulating the Games?
Twenty years on from her Games debut as a gymnast, Alethea Boon finished fifth in the 58kg weightlifting. Where she finished only tells half the story, though. Boon couldn't hold back tears after hoisting 100kg in the snatch for the first time. Her transition between the two contrasting sports underpinned such personal achievements that prove the Games are about more than chasing medals.
She aims to start a family after the Rugby World Cup in England.