New Zealand's Duane Kale has been elected vice president of the International Paralympic Committee.

Former four-time Paralympic champion swimmer Kale continues his rise up the executive ladder, having been appointed to the IPC board three years ago.

Brazilian Andrew Parsons was elected the new president at the IPC general assembly in Abu Dhabi.

Kale won a close race, polling two more votes than rival candidate John Petersson of Denmark.

The global body has a member base including 178 National Paralympic Committees and acts as the international federation for 10 Para sports.

Kale expressed pride at his promotion for a four-year term, saying it felt surreal.

"Being from a region (Oceania) that holds few votes relative to all the other regions makes the achievement more significant as we have had to draw the support of members from all around the world," he said.

"This further endorses the way in which New Zealanders are viewed by other nations."

Kale won four gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.

He was New Zealand Chef de Mission at the 2008 and 2012 Games.