The teenager was not selected in the country's seven-strong squad announced last week, but has benefitted after the country was reallocated an additional berth for the Games.

He joins Paralympic gold medallists Sophie Pascoe, Mary Fisher and Cameron Leslie as well as London 2012 Paralympians Nikita Howarth and Rebecca Dubber in the Kiwi squad.

Bryall McPherson and Jesse Reynolds will also be making their Paralympic debuts in Rio, alongside McLean, an S6 swimmer.

“I am incredibly excited about my selection to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games," McLean said.

"I am overwhelmed by the support I have had from Paralympics New Zealand and all the people around me that have helped to make my dream of representing New Zealand a reality.”

McLean already has experience of the big stage, competing in last year's World Championships in Glasgow.

Fiona Allan, chief executive of Paralympics New Zealand, added:  “I am thrilled to confirm Hamish McLean’s selection to the Para-swimming team to represent New Zealand at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

"Hamish has consistently demonstrated outstanding results, including meeting the Swimming New Zealand nomination and the Paralympics New Zealand selection criteria after setting a minimum qualifying time for Rio 2016, but we simply did not have a slot available for him until now.”