Taieri's Holly Robinson, Anna Grimaldi, Jessica Hamill, Caitlin Dore, Will O'Neill and Rory McSweeney make up the majority of New Zealand's eight-strong team competing at the International Paralympic Committee world championships in Doha.
Robinson, who won silver in the T46 javelin two years ago in France, was New Zealand's flag bearer at the opening ceremony yesterday morning.
While she will have to wait until the last day of competition, next Saturday, to compete, Hamill (F34 shot put) was the first Kiwi to compete overnight.
Hamill (25), who has cerebral palsy, won silver at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in the shot put, and went into last night's competition full of confidence after some good recent performances.
Canterbury's William Stedman was also in action last night in the 400m, while Dore (F37 shot put), O'Neill (T35 200m) and Grimaldi (T47 long jump) will get their campaigns under way tonight.
Grimaldi, who took up athletics almost two years ago to the day, will line up in the 200m heats on Tuesday night and the 100m heats on Thursday night.
Dore will also be back in action Thursday night in the javelin, while McSweeney will have to wait until next Friday to compete in the F44 javelin.
In addition to the 400m, Stedman is also entered in the 200m and long jump.
Tasman's Liam Malone is the other Kiwi in Doha, and will run the T43 100m and 200m.
