The achievements of New Zealand's successful Rio Paralympic team are being officially celebrated in Auckland this afternoon.
Proud fans and family gathered outside the North Shore's AUT Millennium to cheer the athletes, after they won a total of 21 medals in Rio.
Fans sporting golden hair, crowns and colourful signs clapped and roared for the team as they came in.
One fan travelled from Whakatane to be there, while other young fans took the day off school to meet their favourite athletes.
Paralympic chef de mission Ben Lucas said the team put on a stunning show in Rio.
He said winning nine golds should garner more interest in funding the team.
Silver medallist in Javelin and official flag bearer Holly Robinson said the support had been outstanding.
"It's a good feeling to know that we're a small country and we've got a huge support team across the country and it was really cool," she said.
"It was really cool being away and getting all those messages and hearing from all those people, it's amazing and I can't thank New Zealand enough for the support that they've given us."
