Two narrow wins secured the Constellation Cup for the Silver Ferns for the first time since its inception in 2010, although the Diamonds bounced back in Christchurch on Sunday with a six-goal win in the final Test.
Tutaia said changes in team culture since Waimarama Taumaunu took over from Ruth Aitken as coach last year have made a definite impact.
"Having Wai in the mix has definitely changed the environment. We know what we're capable of, it's just making sure we go out there and do it," she said.
Conditioning and pre-season training leading into the Constellation Cup had been extremely demanding.
"Our trainers asked us to do stuff that we've never done before, targets that we've never met before," Tutaia said.
"That's definitely paid off - being a lot fitter and faster, more physical and stronger out there on court and able to handle the knocks, has been great."
Tutaia sat out Sunday's 59-53 loss after receiving a bad knock to the knee early in the 50-49 second Test win.
"It happened in the first quarter when me, Julie Corletto and Irene went down," she said.
"There was no way I wanted to come off court, so I kind of kept it quiet from the physio, because I knew she was going to take me off."
Adrenaline kept Tutaia going in a hectic last quarter as New Zealand fought off a late Australian comeback, but it wasn't enough to get her back out on court in Christchurch.
Her time out of the match-day 12 was not an experience she enjoyed.
Despite having no capacity for forward movement, the 70-Test veteran couldn't stop herself bringing along the Silver Ferns' treasured black dress, just in case.
"I had it packed in my bag, just in case I got the call-up. I know I wasn't in the 12, but I'm sure I could have persuaded them somehow."
She's confident of returning in plenty of time to make the New Zealand squad for the October quad series against Australia, South Africa and England.
