Tongan royalty will be amongst those welcoming Valerie Adams back to New Zealand as she prepares for her gold medal ceremony.

The London Olympian arrives in Auckland at 5.45am tomorrow morning ahead of the medal presentation that evening, in front of a crowd of 2500 at The Cloud on Queens Wharf.

"I can't wait to get home," she said en route to Auckland.

"I know friends and family will be waiting for me at the airport and I'm so excited about the medal ceremony. It's just what I wanted."

The youngest daughter of Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita of Tonga, together with representatives of the New Zealand Pacific Island Sports Association, will present Adams with traditional celebratory necklaces on her arrival.

Adams' family and close friends will also be on-hand to welcome Adams home.

South Auckland schools have also been invited to welcome Adams at the airport.

The medal ceremony is modelled on a traditional Olympic medal ceremony, but also features members of Adams' family and wider community.

The Southern Cross Campus choir from Adams' former high school will lead the national anthem and Adams' 11-year-old niece, Sharne Pupuke-Robati, will be the flower bearer.

The ceremony will air live on television and will be streamed by ANZ on their Facebook page and on the big screen at Frank Kitts Park in Wellington.

The celebrations culminate in two fireworks displays over both Auckland and Wellington Harbours.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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