New Zealand took part in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. The country sent 182 competitors, making this its largest ever delegation to the Olympic Games. It was also one of the most successful, equalling New Zealand's combined medal tally from the previous two Summer games. On 16 August – dubbed "Super Saturday" by journalists – New Zealand had its greatest single day at any Olympics, winning 5 medals: two gold, one silver and two bronze. New Zealand also gained its first Olympic track medal since 1976 when Nick Willis won the silver medal in the men's 1500 metres, becoming the sixth New Zealander to win an Olympic medal in that event. The success at the Olympics has boosted Athletics participation since then.

Medallists

Delegation

New Zealand sent 182 representatives competing in 17 sports. Seventeen-year-old footballer Merissa Smith (born 11 November 1990) was New Zealand's youngest competitor, while 52-year-old equestrian eventer Mark Todd (born 1 March 1956) was the oldest competitor. The following is the list of number of competitors participating in the Games. Note that reserves in fencing, field hockey, football, and handball are not counted as athletes:

Athletics

• The athlete who finished in second place, Lyudmila Blonska of Ukraine, tested positive for a banned substance. Both the A and the B tests were positive, therefore Blonska was stripped of her silver medal, and Wardell moved up a position.

Badminton

Basketball

Women's tournament

Canoeing

Slalom

Sprint

Qualification Legend: QS = Qualify to semi-final; QF = Qualify directly to final

Cycling

Road

Track

Mountain biking

BMX

Equestrian

Eventing

Show jumping

Field hockey

Men's tournament

Women's tournament

Football

Men's tournament

Women's tournament

Rowing

Qualification Legend: FA=Final A (medal); FB=Final B (non-medal); FC=Final C (non-medal); FD=Final D (non-medal); FE=Final E (non-medal); FF=Final F (non-medal); SA/B=Semifinals A/B; SC/D=Semifinals C/D; SE/F=Semifinals E/F; QF=Quarterfinals; R=Repechage

Sailing

New Zealand qualified 1 boat for each of the following events. Although Aaron McIntosh and Mark Kennedy qualified for the Tornado class, they did not compete at these Games. M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race; CAN = Race cancelled

Shooting

Swimming

Synchronized swimming

Taekwondo

Tennis

Triathlon

Weightlifting

Officials