Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has thanked the Black Ferns while celebrating the team's Rugby World Cup triumph at Parliament.
Last month, the Black Ferns completed a remarkable turnaround, and lifted the World Cup in front of a sold out Eden Park.
After a disastrous end to 2021, the team won 12 straight test matches under the tutelage of Wayne Smith, and won the World Cup with a 34-31 victory.
The team have been hailed across the country, and are currently on a 'Thank you, Aotearoa' nationwide tour, to celebrate their achievement with fans.
On Tuesday, the team was hosted at Parliament, where the Prime Minister welcomed the world champions by thanking them for helping alter the perception of women's sport in New Zealand.
"We're all here in person for one reason, and one reason alone - and that's to say thank you to this incredible team," Ardern said.
"I thought it was captured by one sign that stood there in that sold out Eden Park crowd, held by one young fan, that said 'they're not girls, they're legends'.
"I'm just here to say, alongside all of you, alongside MPs from every party in Parliament, thank you.
"Thank you for making our national game, everybody's game, thank you for being role models, thank you for changing history.
"Thank you for showing girls that they can do anything, and that when they take the field, they're not girls - they're sportspeople at the top of their game, who deserve our recognition.
"Thank you for showing everyone what you have done for years, not just months.
"Thank you for being world champions."
The Prime Minister was joined on stage by the majority of the Black Ferns' squad, while coach Wayne Smith, and players Ruahei Demant, Stacey Fluhler and Ruby Tui also spoke to thank the crowd for their attendance.
The team will then head on to Ruatoki on Wednesday, Whakatane on Thursday, Omaio and Gisborne on Friday, before finishing in Auckland on Sunday.
