The ceremonies have moved to Dunedin where 13 athletes have been recognised in front of their families and friends as well as PNZ commercial partners.

These 13 are now part of a group of 121 Paralympians who have been officially recognised at ceremonies with an official numbered Paralympic pin and certificate.

Previous ceremonies have taken place twice in Auckland as well as in Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Queenstown, Wellington and Bonn in Germany during 2019 and 2020.

These pins are numbered chronologically from the athlete's first Paralympic Games.

"We were privileged to have 13 wonderful Paralympians and their families, friends and supporters, representing New Zealand Paralympic teams from Tel Aviv 1968 to Pyeongchang 2018 come together in Dunedin," said PNZ chief executive Fiona Allan.

"From Paralympian number seven Bill Lean who competed in three Paralympic Games debuting at Tel Aviv 1968 as part of the first New Zealand Paralympic team to Paralympian number 195 Anna Grimaldi who competed at Rio 2016, these 13 Paralympians are members of a very exclusive club of just 209 New Zealanders.

"They will be members forever, as once a Paralympian, always a Paralympian."

Lean competed in three Games in archery, athletics, powerlifting and table tennis, winning a gold medal in the shot put in 1976.

Other Dunedin athletes from the first Games who were in attendance were Graeme Marett and Philip Read, the former being a discus silver medallist and pentathlon bronze medallist in 1972.

Two-time Paralympic champion Patricia Hill was also recognised - she is one of the most decorated Paralympians in New Zealand history after winning eight medals across three Games competing in athletics.

Other athletics Paralympians, Barcelona 1992's Denise Gow and Sydney 2000's Tanya Bradley were also recognised.

Eight-time Paralympic swimming champion Jenny Newstead and three-time boccia Paralympian Henk Dijkstra were at the ceremony too.

"I am always up for a challenge to prove that people with disabilities can do anything," said Newstead to PNZ.

"Through my achievements, I have really enjoyed being able to inspire all people, especially children with a disability to take up sport."

Two-time Paralympic snowboarder Carl Murphy was in attendance as was Rio 2016 shot put bronze medallist Jessica Gillan and Rio 2016 javelin silver medallist Holly Robinson.

Grimaldi, the women's long jump T47 Paralympic champion and fellow Rio 2016 athletics debutant Caitlin Dore were recognised too.