Tauranga's Luuka Jones has created history with a silver medal in the K1 canoe slalom at the Rio Olympics.

It's New Zealand's first medal on the Olympics whitewater.

Luuka with her medal. Photo: NZ Olympic Team Twitter.

Qualifying seventh for the 1-women final, Jones put in a stunning run down the 24-gate 242m course with a time of 101.82s.

Spain's Maialen Chourraut took gold in 98.65s and Australian Jessica Fox claimed bronze with 102.49s.

It represented spectacular progression from Jones who finished 14th in London in 2012 and 21st in Beijing in 2008.

Jones, the 27-year-old from Tauranga, belied her world ranking of No 28 with a storming run.

This was a surprise medal for New Zealand at these Games and the stunning performance even seemed to catch Jones out as she watched high-rankled opponents stumble in her wake.

"I am just so, so happy right now it is hard to explain. I think it's still sinking in a little bit. It's surreal," says Jones, with silver dangling around her neck.

Asked what this would mean for her supportive family, she says: "I had a photo come through of my sister and my mum watching the qualifications the other day. They looked really stressed out so I think they'll be really happy for me and relieved that I have achieved this."

She says the atmosphere had been electric as she started her first Olympics final with no idea what would unfold in a do-or-die situation.

"It was incredible. You're sitting on the start line the crowd is there and cheering and you finish your run and they're all cheering. It was just amazing."

Day six in Rio is a golden one for New Zealand after Hamish Bond and Eric Murray defend their Olympic title in rowing's men's pair. Luuka Jones later added to NZ's tally too with silver in the women's K100 canoe slalom.

-Additional reporting Stuff.co.nz