The convoy of 150 trucks carrying about 400 people world last week made it through the Rafah Gate -- the only land entrance to Gaza not under the control of Israel's military -- after a tense 10 diplomatic day standoff with the Egyptian Government.
They had travelled across three continents over 37 days and passed through the same waters where the nine humanitarian workers were killed by Israeli soldiers when they boarded the Turkish flotilla ship the Mavi Marmara in May.
The convoy spent three days there delivering aid, including much needed medical supplies.
Pat O'Dea, an Auckland electrician who was part of the New Zealand contingent Kia Ora Gaza, said the conditions in Gaza needed to be seen to be believed.
"It's hell on earth -- the destruction is just unbelievable. But when the siege is broken I think everyone should go there because it's a beautiful place they are beautiful people who struggle under tremendous hardship but their courage is just amazing."
Another Kia Ora Gaza conveyor, Julie Webb-Pullman, said any suggestion that there was no humanitarian crisis in Gaza was an absolute lie.
"It's an open prison, there's absolutely no question that, it's an appalling situation and it needs attention.
"There's not one family that hasn't lost at least one family member, many of them four or five family members. Post-traumatic stress is so apparent, you can see it in the children," she said.
Kia Ora Gaza co-founder Grant Morgan said he was disheartened by the lack of support or offers of protection Kia Ora Gaza had received from the New Zealand Government.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully said he strongly dissuaded the team from going to Gaza and "any travel against our advice would be at the individual's risk"
But Mr Morgan said there had been a noticeable change of consciousness in New Zealand regarding the Gaza blockade, and further such convoys were likely.
"This convoy was so big and so determined and it had so much international support that it got through.
"They broke the siege and there will be more coming to break the siege again and again and again."
