"Bring on the world" has been the Silver Ferns' motto for the past year.
In just over a week, the world will finally meet them in Jamaica.
After a farewell breakfast in Auckland yesterday, featuring words of wisdom from poet Sam Hunt and multisport guru Steve Gurney, the SilverFerns left last night for Miami, where they will spend five days before heading to Jamaica for the world championships.
"Everybody is so excited," shooter Irene van Dyk said. "We have all been waiting so long for this day."
Captain Anna Rowberry, a member of the team who were beaten 42-41 by Australia at the last world championships in 1999, said she had been waiting "since the day after" that heartbreaking loss.
"We have had enough of listening to Bob Marley, had enough of our heat chambers - we are as prepared as we can be."
But with excitement comes anxiety and the realisation that this event could be the toughest yet.
Defending champions Australia and home-town favourites Jamaica are expected to be New Zealand's greatest threat.
"Your heart is just going boom, boom," van Dyk said. "And you have this burning feeling in the pit of your stomach.
"But we know this is an awesome team and we know we have done all the hard work.
"We are ready to conquer this mission."
Like the All Blacks, it was 16 years ago in 1987 that the Silver Ferns were last crowned world champions.
"There have been some really close ones between New Zealand and Australia," coach Ruth Aitken said.
"But for us, I believe it is about staying focused and not being distracted by the occasion."
The Silver Ferns have spent the last five days in camp at the Millennium Institute on the North Shore.
Training sessions have included time in heat chambers to adjust to the humid conditions expected in Jamaica, and matches against a men's team and the Cook Islands.
"I am pleased with the way things are at the moment," Aitken said. "But there will need to be another step up when we get to Jamaica.
"There is a really good feeling in the team - we just have to fine-tune some things."
The tournament begins in Kingston next Friday, with the Silver Ferns' first game on the Sunday.
