The announcement comes following the decision of the Australian Paralympic team to station themselves in the Welsh capital of Cardiff ahead of the 2012 Paralympics.

New Zealand look to have a number of strong medal chances in London, including triple Beijing 2008 Paralympic swimming champion Sophie Pascoe (pictured), and Paralympics New Zealand chief executive Fiona Pickering admitted that she is delighted to have secured the city as a training base.

"Paralympics New Zealand has a proud sporting history at the Paralympic Games and we are excited about furthering our relationship with Wales where all the Oceania Paralympic Committee nations are also choosing to base themselves," said Pickering.

"Several athletes and staff from Paralympics New Zealand have frequented Swansea and Wales already and discovered first-hand the outstanding quality of the training facilities and accommodation.

"I am very confident Wales is the perfect place to base the Paralympics New Zealand team in the lead up to the Games."

Paralympics New Zealand are set to host a special event to celebrate the partnership tomorrow to coincide with International Paralympic Day which is taking place in Trafalgar Square.

The celebratory event in New Zealand will see a number of high profile dignitaries in attendance including the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones.

"Wales is committed to providing a first class environment for New Zealand's athletes," said Jones.

"The combination of world class training facilities, proximity and quality of accommodation, access to state of the art support services together with a Welsh welcome that is second to none, is a compelling offer which has resulted in Paralympic New Zealand's decision to choose Wales."

South Africa's team, which includes high-profiles competitors like Oscar Pistorius and Natalie du Toit, are also due to train in Cardiff. 

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