It was clear the bearded collie missed Erika Fairweather over the past month as he leapt towards her for a cuddle outside Dunedin Airport yesterday morning.

Fairweather, 20, was thrilled to be reunited with him too — after having hugged her friends and family as they celebrated her return.

She was stunned by the "unexpected" reception from pupils from her former school, Trinity Catholic College, who greeted her with a moving kapa haka performance.

"They've been so supportive of me my whole swimming career and to have them even when I'm not at school any more is really special," Fairweather said. Read more