More and more New Zealanders attend the Melbourne Cup Carnival ever year, with Kiwi visitor numbers to the event increasing by 40 per cent since the 2013.
Tutaia made her first public appearance as an ambassador - looking stunning in racewear by retail partner Myer - by posing with the 2017 trophy at Westhaven Marina with the iconic Auckland skyline as a backdrop.
The 18 carat gold trophy which will be presented to the owner of the Cup-winning horse.
She'll be reunited with Cup, which cost NZ$216,000 and has its own passport and security guard, when it returns to New Zealand in August to begin its annual tour of the country, giving Kiwi racing fans the chance to touch the award.
Tutaia said she was excited to be heading across the Tasman for the Melbourne Cup and hoped to see about 10,000 Kiwis there on race day.
"I've never attended a Melbourne Cup event so I'm looking forward just to being amongst it.
"A huge highlight of mine will be just being involved in the Myers Fashion in the Fields and being involved in such a prestigious event which is renowned all over the world."
The 30-year-old Silver Fern vice captain said she'd bet on a Kiwi horse taking out the top prize at the Cup.
"I'll put a few pennies here and there and see where it takes me."
If history repeats itself Tutaia could get a healthy return on her money - 43 New Zealand-bred horses have taken out the Melbourne Cup since Martini Henry first won more than a century ago.
Other famous Kiwi horses to succeed there include Carbine, Phar Lap and Prince of Penzance. The latter was ridden by jockey Michelle Payne during her historic 2015 win.
Tutaia said she's a fan of Melbourne - particulary as a shopping destination.
"It is quite a diverse city with lots of different cultures and ethnicities and it reminds me of Auckland
"When it's cold it's cold and it's colder in Melbourne than here in Auckalnd. It's great. I've got family there as well."
Tutaia will put her knowledge of fashion to good use at the Myer shopping experience - a free event for Kiwi Melbourne Cup attendees.
"I'll be there to take photos and give some last-0minute fashion advice - good or bad, we'll wait and see," she said.
She hoped her Australian-based fiance, Warratahs star Israel Folau, will join her at this year's Melbourne Cup - which will also be his first - if his schedule allows him to.
"I hope we both get to experience this together. I know that he really wants to [go]."
WIN WITH THE HERALD ON SUNDAY
The Herald on Sunday has teamed up with Emirates, the Victorian Racing Club and the Flemington Racecourse to offer a trip of a lifetime to the running of the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
One very lucky winner will secure a package for two including return flights to Melbourne on one of Emirates' daily A380 flights to the city from Auckland for the big race - to be held on November 7 - two general admission tickets to Emirates Melbourne Cup Day and two nights' twin share accommodation in Melbourne.
To enter, go to winwiththeherald.co.nz and put in your details, with the key word 'cup'. Entries close at 5pm, Wednesday, June 21.
Winners must get themselves to Auckland for their flight to Melbourne.
Full terms and conditions on the website.
