A wave of Kiwi Olympians arrived back on New Zealand's shores this morning, touching down with a bunch of medals at Auckland Airport.
At the international arrival gate, the athletes were met by thunderous cheers as Kiwi's welcomed them back home after one of New Zealand's most successful Olympic campaigns.
New Zealand finished the Paris Olympics with 20 medals with 10 of them gold, seven silver and three bronze.
Eight-time Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington was part of the group that returned home today, wearing her three new gold medals as she waved to fans gathered around the arrival gate.
"I had a few days to reflect and I still can't believe we managed to pull off three golds," said Carrington.
Carrington is now New Zealand's most decorated Olympian after she took home golds in the women's K1, K2 and K4 classes.
"It's so cool to see all of our other athletes performing so well and its really special to be a part of that."
One of those other athletes was Olympic gold medallist Finn Butcher, who stormed home to take finish first in the men's Kayak Cross. This was the events debut at the Olympic Games.
"I backed myself and I was there to win it, it’s only a dream until it actually happens," Butcher said.
Among them was Dame Lisa Carrington with her three golds on full display. (Source: 1News)
"We executed the race pretty much how we wanted to, it came off and we got to stand on the top step with this thing," Butcher said, while showing off his Olympic gold medal.
Originally from Alexandra in Central Otago, Butcher said he was happy to represent New Zealand and "put his little region on the map".
Fellow Kayaker Aimee Fisher said she watched Butcher's gold medal race and it was very special.
Fisher finished fourth in the K1 final and was knocked out of the K2 in the quarterfinals alongside partner Lucy Matehaere.
An emotional Fisher reunited with her family after 16 weeks away from home and said she was "feeling very loved".
"It's been a real joy to race for all my people and represent them on the big stage," said Fisher.
Isaac McHardie showed off the only silver medal at Auckland Airport today, which he earned with partner Will McKenzie in the men's 49er sailing class.
Weightlifter David Liti said the competition he was pitted against for his event was immense, after he finished in eighth place in the men's 102kg, with a 415kg combined total.
"It was probably the best line-up for a weightlifting event in history, so I'm happy about to come out in eighth place," said Liti.
Liti also shared his exploits of cheekily pretending to be an athlete from a different sport. He said he was able to convince athletes from other countries in the Olympic Village that he was a boxer that finished fourth at the Games.
Taiko Torepe-Ormsby finished 19th in the men's 50m freestyle and said he was proud to be able to represent Aotearoa at the Games — something not a lot of Kiwis get to do.
"I'm proud to be a Māori Olympian. I'm not just doing it for me, I'm doing it for my whānau, for everyone else and my community."
Torepe-Ormsby said there was one thing he was most looking forward to when he got back home.
"I kinda want a hāngī. Not gonna lie, I've been craving a hāngī for a few weeks."
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