The three core values of excellence, friendship and respect have been evident — much more so than during the main Olympics.
It has certainly been an excellent result for New Zealand.
The country exceeded its target to win 21 medals — an impressive per capita tally — and will bring home a total of nine gold, five silver and seven bronze medals.
Standout athletes from the 31-strong New Zealand team have undoubtedly been Sophie Pascoe and Liam Malone.
At only 23, Christchurch swimmer Pascoe was competing in her third Paralympics.
Her personal tally from Rio was three golds and two silvers, and she set a Paralympic record in her 100m butterfly event.
She now has a total of nine golds and 15 medals to her name, making her our most successful Paralympian.
Nelson sprinter Liam Malone has not just become a household name in New Zealand, but something of a global sensation.
Nicknamed the "Kiwi blade runner" (and now calling himself the "cyborg overlord"), these were the 22-year-old’s first Games — and are unlikely to be his last.
He broke two records held by disgraced South African Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius in his 200m and 400m events, and added to his two gold medals with a silver in his 100m.
People the world over clearly warm to his road-to-glory story: the double amputee below the knee had to crowdfund the money to pay for his expensive carbon fibre running blades.
Dunedin athletes had their fair share of glory, too.
Anna Grimaldi increased her personal best by 21cm to win gold in her long jump event and nearly made the podium again, coming fourth in her 100m.
Flag bearer Holly Robinson threw a personal best to win silver in her javelin section and Rory McSweeney claimed bronze in his. Dunedin shot putter Jessica Hamill claimed a bronze.
There were others who fell short of medal glory but will undoubtedly be richer for the experience.
Their "disabilities" (one wonders whether that word is even relevant when the athletes have achieved more than many able-bodied people ever will) have been embraced and overcome, their hard work and self-belief rewarded.
It is clear many of these athletes have overcome far more than the physical "limitations" attributable to birth, illness or accident.
Some have confessed to struggling with depression.
Some have recently lost parents and friends.
Some may have been bullied and stigmatised.
The hurdles have been immense every step of the way.
And perhaps this is why the Paralympics have captured the imagination and appealed to those who are not necessarily sports fans.
There are lessons for everyone about overcoming adversity, striving for success and giving it your all.
There seems to be greater enjoyment in the competition — as opposed to purely claiming medal placings — than there was in the Olympics.
There is amazing pride and support (and perhaps not such a burden of expectation which comes with the big money involved in the Olympics themselves) that allows athletes to feel good about their attempts as much as their achievements.
That rubs off on the public, too.
It has been a fantastic stage on which to showcase diversity.
It is wonderful for disabled athletes to live and compete in a world in which they are the majority for a change, where they are accorded the respect they deserve.
Many are likely to make friends for life.
The event should also be inspiring particularly to youngsters with a disability, who can see the ways in which sport can help turn something that could easily have been a negative into a wonderful cause for celebration.
