All Blacks: TJ Perenara gifts game-worn jersey to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern

All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara has given his game-worn jersey to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern following his side's 40-12 win over the Wallabies in Auckland.

Ms Ardern and Minister of Sport Grant Robertson joined the All Blacks in the changing-room post-match, as New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 16th straight season.

Ms Ardern wore a Black Ferns jersey in honour of the women's team, who earlier in the day beat the Wallaroos 45-17.

Meeting the Prime Minister was such an honour for Perenara, he decided to give her the jersey he wore during the match.

"It was something that was important to me," he said. 

"She is important to me, my community and my family and it was something that felt right. She was happy with it too because she didn't expect it.

"The values she stands by and my family has always been strong Labour, and I'm proud to be like that. The same goes for my community, and for me to give something to her on my behalf is special to me."  

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said it was great to see the recently elected Prime Minister in the locker room for the first time.

"It's always good to have the Prime Minister of your country in," Hansen said.

"We always used to enjoy it when John [Key] came in. Tonight we enjoyed it. Tonight it was the turn of the Labour Party to enjoy it. She was very respectful. She knew the guys had to get changed and that sort of thing.

"It's tough I guess, but she's respectful, and I said, 'Don't worry about that, they won't get changed. You spend as long as you want in here and get to know them.'

"If you think about the brand and the All Blacks, I think it's important we represent New Zealand really well.

"She leads our country, so we respect her immensely. It's important that she gets to know the people who are representing the country in a black shirt. It was nice to see her tonight in a Black Ferns jersey. TJ gave her his jersey, so maybe we'll see her wear our one."

Hansen also made a little request to Ms Ardern and Robertson.

"I said to Grant Robertson they should be our biggest sponsors because we're their biggest brand, and could she find some money to help us compete against the likes of England and France to help us keep our players.

"So there wasn't a lot said after that."

The All Blacks have some time off before they host Argentina in Nelson in two weeks' time.

Newshub.