WELLINGTON, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of supporters turned out to welcome home New Zealand's Olympic athletes on Wednesday.
The first plane carrying the sportsmen and women touched down at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday morning.
New Zealand won six gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the London Games.
More than 200 people, including family members, cheered and clapped as the athletes, wearing their medals, made their return.
Among the first Olympians to return included silver medallist BMX rider Sarah Walker and the 4,000 cycling pursuit team, which won bronze.
Single sculls rower Mahe Drysdale was welcomed by family and says he is relieved to come home with the gold medal after all the pressure and expectation.
Absent from the medalists arriving on Wednesday was shot-put gold medalist Valerie Adams, who is competing overseas until September.
The equestrian team is not returning yet, but will be back in time for the official welcome in Christchurch on Aug. 24.
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