The Silver Ferns have suffered their worst-ever finish at a Netball World Cup, after being beaten by Jamaica in the bronze-medal match.
Just days after losing their final group game against the Sunshine Girls by 11 goals, New Zealand closed the gap on this occasion, but still fell 52-45 at Cape Town.
Jamaica led by just three goals at the end of the first and second quarter, but ill-discipline cost New Zealand in the third, trailing by six at the last turn.
The Silver Ferns couldn't overturn the deficit, as Jamaica extended their lead to secure a bronze medal, while New Zealand go home empty-handed.
Despite the historic defeat, Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua was proud of her team's effort in an unsettling World Cup campaign.
"They gave it their all and that's all you can ask," Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline said.
"I thought whenever someone new went on, they did make some impact and it just came down to our ability to hold in certain moments and that's what it's about. I'm proud that the girls gave it their all.
"Not having a settled spine has made it a challenging campaign. We were trying to work out our seven as we were going along and it never eventuated, then it was more about consistency of performance and you've just got to get on with it.
"That's the lay of the land with this current team. I'm still quite excited by some of the players out there, there's some young blood coming through and they'll learn a lot from this experience."
In the gold-medal match, Australia beat England 61-45 to claim their 12th World Cup title.
