Olympics: Rousing welcome home for NZ team

7.30am

The New Zealand Olympic team, including four of their five medallists, were given a rousing welcome home when they arrived at Auckland airport early today.

Despite the 5.15am arrival time for the flight from Los Angeles, about 500 people were in the airport terminal to cheer the athletes in.

Cycling gold medallist Sarah Ulmer described the reception as "just incredible".

"It's amazing," she said. "I think this is where it's going to sink in. It really hasn't sunk in yet. It's awesome."

Among those who had waited for Ulmer were pupils from Auckland's Diocesan School, of which she is an old girl and where her brother, Peter, coaches cycling.

Ulmer said she was looking forward to a holiday. She had made no plans as far as her immediate cycling future was concerned, but that was normal for her after a major campaign.

Also on the flight were triathlon gold and silver medallists Hamish Carter and Bevan Docherty, and Olympic rowing champions Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell.

New Zealand's fifth medallist, canoeist Ben Fouhy, who won silver in the K1 1000m event, is still in Europe.

Fouhy has stayed behind to support canoeing crew-mate Steven Ferguson, who is competing in the world surf life-saving championships.

Carter said he didn't know what to expect when he landed in Auckland.

"This is pretty overwhelming, but it's also fantastic because we're racing for New Zealand," he said.

"It's a great feeling to come home to this."

Carter was greeted by his wife, Marisa, and their two young children, and he said he was looking forward to spending time with them.

"I'm just going home and seeing my family," he said. "The Olympics is pretty amazing and overwhelming and it's just nice to relax."

The cultural group Kura Maori O Nga Tapuwae, from the airport suburb of Mangere, performed as the athletes came through into the arrivals hall, before Sport Minister Trevor Mallard officially welcomed them home.

Chef de mission Dave Currie said the effort of the whole team in Athens had been solid.

Apart from the three gold and two silver medals, there were two fourth placings, while 21 other athletes received diplomas for finishing in the top eight of their events.

"The level of competition at the Olympics is hard," he said.

"It's supposed to be hard, so we're pretty happy with what was achieved."

- NZPA