The 22-year-old was today presented with Te Mahutonga - the New Zealand team’s cloak, or kakahu as it is more commonly known - by Chef de Mission Pete Wardell.

This was in the presence of his brothers Jackson and Byron and other members of the New Zealand team.

Wells began competing on the international circuit at the age of 15 and a year later, in 2012, was selected to represent New Zealand at the inaugural Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, placing fourth in halfpipe.

He became junior world champion in halfpipe in 2014 and the following year, retained his title and also added a silver medal in slopestyle.

Wells also represented New Zealand at Sochi 2014, finishing sixth in halfpipe and 21st in slopestyle.

Last year, he came 10th in a world-class field at the 2017 Winter Games New Zealand and ranked sixth at the World Cup in Copper Mountain in Colorado.

"It is my great honour to name Beau-James Wells as flagbearer," Wardell said.

"Beau-James is an inspiring athlete who has been at the forefront of freeskiing in New Zealand.

"He did us proud in Sochi with a sixth place in the halfpipe, while he was still a teenager and competing at his first Olympic Games.

"He was able to overcome a significant ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury to finish the 2017 season with a 10th placing at New Zealand’s competitive Winter Games and a sixth at the Copper Mountain World Cup.

"He is a great role model for New Zealanders and will be honoured to wear Te Mahutonga as he leads us into the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony, tonight here in Pyeongchang."

Te Mahutonga was last worn by sailor Peter Burling at the Opening Ceremony of Rio 2016. 

It was also worn by speed skater Shane Dobbin at Sochi 2014.

Wells said he is incredibly proud to be chosen to lead the New Zealand team at Pyeongchang 2018.

"I’m so pumped to be waving the flag for our team tonight, representing this great nation of ours," he added.

"It’s a huge honour and it going to be a night I’ll never forget, that’s for sure."

Wells arrived in Pyeongchang last night, along with brothers Jackson and Byron and father Bruce.

They were welcomed by the New Zealand team and presented with the traditional pounamu team pendant.

"Getting welcomed to the team village last night was epic," Wells said.

"The New Zealand team did a haka for us and it was pretty emotional."

The New Zealand team will be the seventh of the 91 nations' to march into the Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium, ordered according to the Korean alphabet.

In traditional black, the team will wear a classically-styled woollen overcoat specifically requested for the Opening Ceremony by the athletes themselves.

Wardell revealed the marching quota of 27, set by the International Olympic Committee, had been filled by Kiwi team members.