It's been a month since the Black Ferns won the Women's Rugby World Cup but fans still can't get enough of the team.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
At least 2000 fans filled out Parliament lawns in Wellington today to get up close to their heroes.
It is the latest celebration since the team defended their title last month with a thrilling 34-31 win over England in a sold-out Eden Park.
At a parliamentary reception for the team Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told the crowd the Black Ferns win was a moment in time people will never forget.
"We will remember where we were when we watched those games during the World Cup but we will especially remember where we were for that final and for those who were lucky enough to be there in person they will remember the experience of a lifetime and that's because they got to see in person how powerful this team is," Jacinda Ardern said.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Many fans have already celebrated with their home-town stars, with parades and events in Kaiatāia with Krystal Murray, Ōpōtiki with Luka Connor, while Ruby Tui took part in the Greymouth Santa Parade.
Today the full squad gathered and fan favourite Ruby Tui explained the side's #likeneverbefore motto.
"We wanted to do something like never before all the adversity that came at us every day it was all good because it was like never before, keep it going ...we rolled with it every day and if there's something you want to do that nobody's done don't worry about it," Tui said.
It was actually Tui's birthday so she the whole crowd sung her happy birthday.
For several weeks Aotearoa was engulfed in Rugby World Cup fever as the Black Ferns overcame the major setbacks of 2021 in their quest for success.
Co-captain Kennedy Simon believes it has translated into more girls paying rugby.
"I went to a school and one of the kids said they never had enough girls playing rugby ...and now they've got enough to field their own team so I think it's going really well," Kennedy said.
The Black Ferns 'Thank you Aotearoa' tour runs through to the World School Sevens tournament in Auckland this Sunday.
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
