"This journey has been nothing but amazing," Black Ferns captain Fiao'o Fa'amausili said as she thanked fans and supporters who had come out to welcome them.
A Cook Islands cultural group and members of Rutherford High School's kapa haka group, Te Kotuku, have welcomed the team home with a performance and a kaumatua has welcomed the team back to New Zealand soil in prayer.
The Black Ferns then thanked the crowd with a haka of their own.
The World Cup was raised towards the heavens as the girls were invited to dance with cultural group members, as island drums beat loudly in the background.
The high school has a special connection to the team through hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, who is a former pupil and whose mother is a teacher at the West Auckland high school.
Te Kura's brother, Paratene Ngata-Aerengamate, a student teacher at the college said they were incredibly proud of his sister as well as the team.
"I'm just very proud as a brother. She's paved the way for us in so many ways already and she's just awesome."
Superfan Ula Tofaeono caught the bus from Manukau to the airport to support her favourite team.
Dressed in a blag flag and a hat decorated with a black lei and silver tinsel, she said she had been supporting the team for a long time.
"I go to Eden Park all the time. I'm just a big rugby supporter.
"My favourite players are the captain, Fi Fa'amausili and Charmaine Smith - the one who got the try under the post. She's very good."
Fans are starting to arrive; many now holding posters of the girls.
A crew of Cook Island drummers are setting up also, preparing to welcome the team home.
The Black Ferns finished a stellar tournament with a thrilling 41-32 win against England's Red Roses early Sunday morning (NZT).
Members of the team were seen jumping for joy and hugging each other fiercely when the final whistle went off, as streamers rained down on them.
