The Black Ferns are world champions once again.

The New Zealand women's rugby team has beaten England 41-32 in the world cup final in Belfast.

Down 17-10 at halftime, the Black Ferns ran in five tries to two in the final 40 minutes as prop Toka Natua scored a hat trick.

Expected to play an expansive game plan against the forward-orientated English, New Zealand had to grind out a win in the tight.

Captain Fia'a Faamausili said the team should be proud of their second half effort.

"We had to really dig deep, we said to the girls you got to really go into your dark places and really fight for your families today, and that's what they did."

It avenges the Black Ferns worst finish at a World Cup when the team limped to fifth place in 2014.

Listen: Andrew Dickens talks with Black Ferns' lock Rebecca Wood