A Dunedin teenager has won New Zealand's first gold medal of the Rio Paralympics.

Nineteen-year-old Anna Grimaldi claimed victory in the women's long jump this morning.

Her final effort of 5.62m was 3cm ahead of her nearest rival from Cuba.

It's a new record for Grimaldi, 21cm more than her previous personal best.

The student went into the event ranked number two in the world.