The Black Ferns have been drawn against Australia, Wales and the final qualification winner for next year's Rugby World Cup, after the draw for the tournament took place at Auckland's Sky City Theatre on Friday.
New Zealand, the defending World Cup champions were one of the top ranked nations in band one for the draw, along with England and Canada, while Australia were the lowest-ranked side in band two.
Third-ranked Canada and inaugural champions the United States will be in Pool B and yet-to-be-determined qualifiers from Europe and Asia.
Pool C saw two-time winners England drawn against Six Nations rivals France along with South Africa and World Cup debutants Fiji.
"It is interesting how the pools have come out," says New Zealand captain Eloise Blackwell. "We have an Australasian pool, North American and European.
"Every time we come up against Australia it is a massive battle.But we're not going to be defending the title, we're out there to win it."
The draw was done by NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, former Blacks Melodie Robinson and Dr Farah Palmer and Dan Carter.
"Pre-COVID-19 this tournament was going to be important to New Zealand," says Ardern. "Now it takes on a extra special dimension for the whole world.
"This is huge for us. I would like to think that we are trying to show leadership around women in sport.
"We need to demonstrate that people want to come out and support our Black Ferns because they are exceptional athletes, not women athletes, athletes."
The World Cup starts on September 18, when the Black Ferns host the opening fixture at Eden Park.
The remaining pool matches will be played at Auckland's Waitakere Stadium and Northland Events Centre, with Eden Park hosting the semi-finals and final, scheduled for October 16.
Pool A: New Zealand, Australia, Wales, Final Qualification Tournament winner
Pool B: Canada, USA, Europe qualifier, Asia qualifier
Pool C: England, France, South Africa, Fiji
