"We want to front the challenge and learn from what we do, be grateful for the opportunity we have each day and represent our country with pride.
"Dubai kicks off our new journey to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. There is a real sense of excitement and we can't wait to get going. Having sevens introduced as an Olympic sport has changed the game.
"It means we now operate on a four-year preparation cycle and it has created a new pathway for athletes to become Olympians."
That team spirit was abundantly obvious in Dubai as Bunting's team beat South Africa in the quarters and Russia in their semifinal before taking on Australia - all without three key players in Niall Williams (head knock), Shakira Baker (knee) and Tenika Willison (head knock) injured on day one.
New Zealand led from an early Portia Woodman try after she skinned the cover defence with her blinding pace before a game-changing moment came late in the first half.
New Zealand held out waves of Australian attacks and turned the ball over a metre from their line. Mount Maunganui resident Kelly Brazier skipped through the initial defence and then laid on an inch-perfect 20m pass into the hands of rookie Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga, who ran 65m for the first of her two tries in the final.
New Zealand captain Sarah Goss captain was delighted with the passion shown by her team in Dubai.
"For the girls learning a new game plan in a couple of weeks and to play like that against an Australian team and obviously the other five games is pretty exciting for what is to come," she said.
"I hate losing. We all hate losing and to not be world dominant over the last year has been pretty disappointing for us, so to come out here at probably one of our favourite tournaments in front of a crowd like this and win is pretty awesome.
"We can give it back to our fans and everyone who keeps supporting us."
One of the stars of the final was Tyla Nathan-Wong, who at 18 was the youngest player to be selected for the team back in 2012.
"The last two weeks with the girls has been amazing. Our new management have been incredible and I am just so proud to be a part of this team," she said.
"The [women's game] has grown massively, especially after the Olympics we have seen the great game explode. I am looking forward to next year to see what happens."
■The New Zealand men's sevens team finished seventh in Dubai after losing 20-12 to Australia in their 5th-8th playoff match yesterday. South Africa beat Fiji 26-24 in the final.
