The team collected two bronze medals, which made these games the most successful Winter Games for New Zealand; the nation had previously collected only one Winter Olympic medal, a silver at the 1992 Games. The two medals also exceeded High Performance Sport New Zealand's target of one medal for the Games.[3]
The New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) confirmed a team of 21 athletes, 17 men and 4 women, to compete in five sports. It is the largest delegation New Zealand has sent to the Winter Olympics, surpassing the 18 athletes who were sent to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. The nation participated in the same sports as at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Sixteen-year-old alpine skier Alice Robinson was New Zealand's youngest competitor;[5] along with fellow 16-year-olds Nico Porteous and Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, the three were the first New Zealand Olympians at either Games to be born in the 21st century. 38-year-old speed skater Shane Dobbin was the oldest competitor.
The NZOC announced the first five freestyle skiers on 24 October 2017,[6] adding another two on 8 November 2017,[7] and a further two on 12 January 2018.[8]Jossi Wells withdrew from participating on 9 January 2018 due to injury.[9]
Tiarn Collins also qualified for the men's slopestyle and big air competitions, but was forced to withdraw after dislocated his shoulder in training prior to the start of the games.[13][14]
