Kiwi journalists receives 'ecstatic' welcome home

Maori Television journalist Ruwani Perer. Photo / Supplied

A Kiwi journalist has arrived home safely after being detained by Israeli military on an activist ship seeking to break a blockade of Gaza.

Maori Television journalist Ruwani Perera and cameraman Jacob Bryant were on board a ship as "observers" on the Freedom Flotilla III when it was taken over by Israel's navy on Monday.

The pro-Palestinian activists were seeking to reach Gaza to highlight the Israeli blockade of the territory - an attempt that came five years after a similar bid ended in a deadly raid.

Ms Perera arrived at Auckland Airport this morning to an "ecstatic welcome" from colleagues, family and friends, Kia Ora Gaza said.

Kia Ora Gazza facilitated the opportunity for Maori TV to cover the flotilla mission.

Ms Perera told well-wishers the boarding and detention was "far from uneventful", Kia Ora Gaza said.

Her passport was emblazoned with Israeli detention and deportation stickers.

Mr Bryant, who was similarly detained and deported, has now travelled to Europe on another assignment.

Kia Ora Gaza said it understood Maori TV planned to document the venture and air the exclusive footage sometime soon.