Moss Burmester has become the first New Zealand swimmer to make an Olympic final since Danyon Loader in 1996.
Burmester qualified seventh fastest for Wednesday's 200 metre butterfly final.
The Commonwealth champion has been nursing a bit of an upset stomach, but swam close to his personal best in finishing fourth in his semi-final.
Coach Jan Cameron says it's a huge moment for the New Zealanders, especially as the standard in Beijing is so high.
Cameron says the grovelling for position is so intense and it's given them a real boost.
But Burmester, New Zealand's best hope for a medal in the pool in Beijing, will have to beat his personal best to be in the medals.
Michael Phelps's qualifying time was predictably the fastest. Phelps was just over a second and a half quicker than Burmester, just an hour after the American won his third gold medal in his third world record time in the 200 freestyle.
