Josh Bugakski, Jacob Dawson, Ollie Wynne-Griffith, Moe Sbihi, Charles Elwes, Tom George, James Rudkin and Tom Ford earned Team GB their second rowing medal at the Tokyo Games in a pulsating final.
Britain had struggled during the heat and qualified for a podium finish through the repechage.
However, Team GB came out of the blocks firing and after spending much of the race in second, they were overtaken by the Germans on the final straight.
New Zealand’s first place finish was the first time the Kiwis have won gold in the men’s eight rowing final since 1972.
In the heats held earlier this week, Team GB finished in third place – behind both the Netherlands and the eventual gold medallists from New Zealand.
After missing out on an automatic spot in the final, the UK’s rowers were forced to enter into the repechage race against New Zealand, the United States, Australia and Romania.
By finishing in second position in the repechage Team GB booked their place into this morning’s final.
Throughout the final regatta New Zealand, Great Britain and Germany were neck-and-neck.
At the Rio in 2016 British rowers won three gold and two silver medals.