Theresa Herd, Jai White and Stephen Hills were the latest New Zealand athletes recognised during the Celebration Project launched to mark the 50th anniversary of the country's debut at the Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has marked the fifth community event as part of The Celebration Project, where the achievements of New Zealand's 209 Paralympians since Tel Aviv 1968 will be officially recognised in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020.

In New Plymouth, three New Zealand Paralympians, with family and friends, gathered at Tasman Toyota in partnership with Taranaki Chamber of Commerce.

Over 50 years of New Zealand Paralympic history was acknowledged, bringing home a total of 221 medals, inspiring Kiwis to think differently about disability, it is claimed. 

Theresa Herd (nee Griffin), Jai Waite and Stephen Hills joined a group of Paralympians that have now received an official "numbered" pin and certificate.

The group now totals 58, following Celebration Project events in Auckland, Whangarei, Hamilton and Taurunga.

The official "number" is only bestowed once a Paralympian has competed at their first Paralympic Games.

It was certainly a special evening in New Plymouth ©Getty Images
It was certainly a special evening in New Plymouth ©Getty Images

"We were privileged to have three wonderful Paralympians and their families, friends and supporters come together in New Plymouth," PNZ chief executive Fiona Allan said.

"We celebrated Paralympian number 144 Theresa Herd and Paralympian number 156 Jai White who competed in Athens 2004, and Paralympian number 196 Stephen Hills who made his Paralympic debut in Rio 2016."

Herd talked about the moment she found out about her selection to the New Zealand Paralympic team. 

"When the phone rang, it was still that moment of shock - the 'wow, this is actually happening, I've worked so hard for this,'" she said.

PNZ are set to stage a further seven community events around the country, made possible thanks to funding and support from the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board, New Zealand Chambers of Commerce and Toyota New Zealand.

The Para Sport Pop Up initiative is travelling around New Zealand in the lead-up to Tokyo 2020, telling the story of the country's 50-year Paralympic history.