The World Masters Games to be hosted by Auckland and Waikato will deliver the largest para-sport programme in the event's history.
A total of 11 para-sport options for athletes with a disability will be available when the Games are held in April 2017.
Jennah Wootten, chief executive of the Games,said the announcement came in the same week as the United Nation's International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
"It was the perfect day to make this announcement as we join the rest of the world in celebrating a day which promotes and encourages understanding and awareness of disability," she said.
"This year's theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is 'inclusion matters' which resonates very strongly with the ethos and philosophy of 'sport for all' which is at the very heart of the World Masters Games movement."
The para-sport options are archery, athletics, badminton, canoe, cycling, lawn bowls, rowing, swimming, table tennis, tennis and triathlon. All competition will be fully integrated into the planning and delivery of the overall sports programme.
All para-sport options will have a classification system in place to ensure fair and equitable competition. This has been developed in partnership with Paralympics New Zealand, representing the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in New Zealand.
Fiona Allan, chief executive of Paralympics New Zealand. Welcomed the move.
"There is no doubt para-sport has seen a huge growth in terms of public interest and competing athletes since the London 2012 Paralympic Games. With only 278 days to go until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games we hope the performances of Kiwi Paralympians on the world stage will both inspire potential athletes and engage supporters even further as we head towards the World Masters Games 2017, just six months later."
Precise age divisions and the format for many of the para-sports are being finalised and will be announced next week.
The ninth edition of the Games will be held from April 21-30 in 2017 and is expected to attract some 25,000 competitors across 28 sports and 45 disciplines at more than 45 venues throughout the Auckland and Waikato regions.
