New Zealand has beaten England in an extraordinary Rugby World Cup final in front of a record 42,579 at Auckland's Eden Park.

Winger Ayesha Leti-l'iga scored a try nine minutes from time to edge the Black Ferns ahead for just the second time in a pulsating match, 34-31.

England, who played for more than two-thirds of the match with 14 women after Lydia Thompson was sent off for a reckless tackle after just 18 minutes, had a chance to drive the ball over the line from a five-metre lineout — a tactic that had already bought four tries in the game.

However, the Black Ferns stopped the drive first time, and then Joanah Ngan-Woo stuck up a hand to steal the lineout and send the Black Ferns and their legions of fans wild.

It crowned a sixth World Cup title for New Zealand and bought an end to three years of utter domination from England's women, who had won 30 games in a row — including twice thrashing New Zealand.

"I'm so proud of our team," New Zealand co-captain and player of the match Ruahei Demant said.

"Last year we went on the northern tour and we got pumped. We sacrificed so much to get the one chance to win a World Cup at home and we did it.

"We hope we have made our country proud and inspired the next generation of Black Ferns."

A hat-trick from hooker Amy Cokayne off the rolling maul and tries from flanker Marlie Packer and fullback Ellie Kildunne had kept England ahead for all but 15 of the 80 minutes.

"Sport can be cruel at times," England captain Sarah Hunter said. "I'm just so proud of the way this team have shown up, not just tonight but over the last three years. I hope that one result doesn't define the team.

"We gave everything tonight and unfortunately it wasn't enough to take the trophy home."

England started at a canter and were two tries to the good before Thompson was dismissed.

Woodman was taken off the pitch on a motorised stretcher after the red card incident but New Zealand immediately cut the deficit with a try from a lineout drive through hooker Georgia Ponsonby.