Whangamata surfer Ella Williams' bronze medal has helped New Zealand secure its best result at the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games in five years.

On the final day in Nicaragua this morning, Williams posted a 10.33 point total in the final to finish behind winner Tia Blanco (USA) on 14.03 points and runner-up Leilani McGonagle (Costa Rica) on 12.37.

Ella Williams took to Twitter after picking up a bronze medal at the International Surfing Association World Surfing Games, saying she's "so happy right now!!" Photo: Twitter.

The result secured New Zealand eighth place overall, some three placings up from 2014 but one short of qualifying for the ISA China Cup which plays host to seven nations.

It is the team's best finish since 2010. Costa Rica won the overall teams title ahead of Portugal, USA and Peru, who finished second through fourth.

Earlier in the day fellow Kiwi and final prospect Paige Hareb (Taranaki) bowed out of the event, placing fourth in her reperchage heat to finish eighth overall.

As expected, the surf built for the final day of the event thanks to Hurricane Blanco, with solid 2m swells hammering Popoyo Beach.

The larger surf made for challenging shifty conditions despite the clean offshore winds and big waves on offer.

Williams got off to a great start, posting a 6.33 point ride early on during the 25 minute final. The Whangamata ace then landed a 4.0 point ride as a back-up score and briefly held the lead.

However, it was soon after that Blanco and McGonagle rode the two best waves of the final, posting 7.0 point rides and leaving Williams requiring a 7.7 point score for the win.

'I'm super happy with my result,” says Williams.

'A third is great and I'll just keep working towards that first placing. I'm super proud to be representing New Zealand and I know first is possible. I just have to keep going.

'Today the conditions were totally different from the rest of the event. It was very shifty so you had to keep busy and take any chance you got when the waves came through.”

Ella Williams in action on the final day of the 2015 International Surfing Association World Surfing Games. Photo: ISA/Nelly.

Earlier in the day Williams hit a hurdle in the qualifying semi-final, needing a five for progression but coming up short.

In the reperchage final, Williams bounced back with a 14.17 point heat total to advance to the final in first place.

'The route to the final was big,” she admits.

'There were a lot of heats to get through so today was a big day as I had three heats in a row with no breaks in between. But I'm really stoked to make the final and to get a medal.”

It is Williams' best result at the ISA World Games, with her previous best being fourth place in 2013.

Hareb bowed out of the event in the first heat of the day, and was unable to progress further after her stunning performance on the penultimate day that saw her score the event's only 10 point ride - a fitting present for the birthday girl.

A mere 1.5 points separated first from fourth in Hareb's heat today, with the Taranaki surfer being left requiring a five point ride to advance further in the event when the final hooter sounded.

'Yeah I am pretty disappointed,” says Hareb, 'but I was going to be disappointed no matter where I got unless I got first.

'I've learnt a lot and to get the only 10 of the whole event is bitter-sweet because it's pretty cool but it's a sign of what could have been.

'It's quite tidal here and I just didn't pick the right waves, which is frustrating because I know I can surf as good as all of those girls. But it's like in tennis - I had too many unforced errors today.”

Final team standings from the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games held at Popoyo Beach, Nicaragua from May 31-June 7:

Team Points:

1 Costa Rica

2 Portugal

3 USA

4 Peru

5 Australia

6 Argentina

7 Ecuador

8 New Zealand

9 Chile

10 Mexico