Posted on Wednesday 22nd July, 2020

On Friday 21 August 2020 New Zealand will join over 170 countries in marking ‘1 year to go’ to the start of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games taking place in 2021. On this date, Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) invites all New Zealanders to take the opportunity to celebrate the Paralympic Movement including the New Zealand Paralympic Team, our Paralympians, Para athletes and all those that make Para sport possible. 

Media contact:

Melissa Dawson
Brand and Communications Manager, Paralympics New Zealand
[email protected]
0204 0044 799

Getting involved:

Share PNZ content – check out PNZ social media channels on 21 August for some great Para athlete videos!

Tell your story

  • Para athlete – Tell your story of your top supporter or those that have supported you to make your Paralympic journey possible across your social media channels and networks.
  • Para sport supporter – Tell your story of why you are involved in Para sport across your social media channels and networks.
  • All other New Zealanders – Tell your story of why you love Para sport and Para athletes across your social media channels and networks.
  • Key hashtags include: #SpiritofGold, #Tokyo2020, #Paralympics #1yeartogo
  • Use a special Facebook or Instagram post frame to show your support. Download the frames here.
  • Update your Facebook page with a special profile frame here and  here.

Register your interest in Para sport as a potential Para athlete or volunteer here.

Join the Kiwi Crew – PNZ will launch the first ever supporters club of the New Zealand Paralympic Team calling on the public to sign up. As part of the Kiwi Crew members will receive exclusive content, offers and much more. SIGN UP now.

PNZ Bequest Programme – more details available shortly. 

In light of New Zealand’s COVID-19 developments and the Prime Minister’s announcement, we have made the decision to postpone the Spirit of Gold Mufti Day that was to take place on 21 August until the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2020.

Paralympics New Zealand social media:

Facebook: @ParalympicsNewZealand
Twitter: @ParalympicsNZ
Instagram: @ParalympicsNZ
LinkedIn: @ParalympicsNewZealand

Key hashtags include: #SpiritofGold, #Tokyo2020, #Paralympics #1yeartogo

Interesting facts:

  • The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games has been rescheduled to take place 24 August – 5 September 2021
  • The New Zealand Paralympic Team may include 30 – 45 exceptional Para athletes, across up to 11 Para sports with a target of winning 22 medals
  • The Paralympic Games is the largest event worldwide for driving social change
  • 24% of all New Zealanders, including 95,000 under the age of 15, identify as being disabled.
  • New Zealand Paralympians have won a total of 221 Paralympic medals (190 summer and 31 winter).
  • The New Zealand Paralympic Team first competed at the Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games. The team included 16 Kiwi Paralympians, competing in 7 Para sports. Four medals were won by New Zealand, all by Paralympian #13 Eve Rimmer.