New Zealand police and emergency services competitors have returned home from the Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games with plenty to celebrate after strong performances across the week-long Gold Coast event.

More than 300 New Zealanders took part in the October 10-17 Games, including 212 serving and retired Police staff and 108 competitors from other eligible emergency services organisations. The Kiwi contingent was the third largest at the event, behind Queensland and New South Wales.

New Zealand also enjoyed success on the sporting stage, finishing third in both the Australasian Police Trophy and the Australasian Services Trophy competitions.

The results came against a field of more than 4000 competitors from across Australasia, the South Pacific and beyond, including the Cook Islands, Fiji and an invited team from Vietnam.

From netball to manu

New Zealand competitors featured in 65 of the 71 sports on offer. From athletics, swimming, football and netball to axe throwing, cornhole, manu and Aqua Blitz, Kiwi competitors embraced the diverse programme that allowed them to test themselves, renew rivalries and try something new.

Netball was particularly prominent, with strong representation from Canterbury and Wellington teams. The Canterbury netball squad also embraced the social side of the Games, with dress-ups and tour rules providing entertainment for their fellow competitors.

An official final medal tally was not available at the time of publishing, but the two trophy finishes provided a strong result for the Kiwi teams.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's unofficial mascot, Petey the Kiwi, was never far from the action, making appearances at sporting events and even finding time for a couple of theme park adventures.