New Zealand's Paralympians have returned home to a jubilant welcome from family and fans.
The majority of the team arrived at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday morning following a highly successful competition in London, winning 17 medals and making New Zealand the highest performing nation per capita.
Jaden Movold with Paralympian swim star Sophie Pascoe. Photo: RNZ
An excited crowd of about 100 gathered at the arrivals hall to greet the 40 athletes and support staff.
Many young children, including Jaden Movold, took the day off to welcome their heroes.
The eight-year-old is already a keen swimmer and says Sophie Pascoe, who won three golds and three silvers in the pool, has inspired him to compete at the 2020 Paralympics.
Pascoe says she was overwhelmed by the jubilant welcome the team received and it is exactly the kind of support the event needs.
"This support that we've come home to today is amazing and it's really going to boost the profile of the Paralympics. To see kids like that looking up to people like me to inspire them - that's what we need.
"These guys here will be looking towards 2020 ... and we need some more athletes getting involved, so it's great."
Pascoe says she hopes the sell-out crowds at every event in London and the support athletes have received worldwide will also lift the profile of the Paralympics.
Istanbul, Madrid and Tokyo have bid to hold the Olympic Games and the Paralympics in 2020.
