Adams told Radio New Zealand she hoped she would inspire more women.
“It’s amazing, not only to be a woman, but also to be a Pacific Island woman,” she told the national broadcaster.
The Olympian was made a Dame for services to athletics.
Her title is the female equivalent of a knighthood.
Adams, 32, was named New Zealand’s first Sports Ambassador to the Pacific in October this year.
She recently returned from Samoa where she had been promoting the country’s Nobesity programme to young people.
