Sitting on top of the Women's World Rugby Sevens series, New Zealand head to Canada for the latest round knowing a top-two finish will qualify them for next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.

The Canada leg, being played in Langford, British Columbia, has allowed coach Sean Horan to make more changes as he ponders his squad for the Olympic assault next year.

He said the side was the hardest he has had to select because of the intense competition within the squad.

Coming back into the team is the experienced forward Carla Hohepa who will play in her first tournament since Dubai in November last year. Hohepa played in the national championships in Rotorua at the start of the season but a hamstring injury had reduced her availability.

Charlotte Scanlan and Gayle Broughton have also returned to the travelling squad.

New Zealand, who are on a 30-game winning streak are drawn in their pool with England, Fiji and Spain

Horan said since their return from the Atlanta tournament last month the side had been working on holding onto the ball more than they had achieved in Atlanta and in doing that, taking their game a level higher.

"That was some of the best rugby this programme has ever played," he said. New Zealand beat the United States in the final 50-12.

"If we make the top two that will pretty much guarantee us making Rio [the Olympic Games] among the top four [who automatically qualify], and we have another couple [of tournaments] after that.

"If we go well the pressure really comes off us and it becomes an internal fight for the other three spots.

"Some other teams, Canada and Australia, are on the same points so it is going to be interesting.

"We've got three to go so we will see how we go in this one then hopefully make some opportunities for other players at London and Amsterdam [tournaments] so we are constantly growing a competitive environment.

"We're just evolving and trying some things. Some of the things we tried in Sao Paulo and Dubai have come off and in Atlanta we did a few different things and we will be looking for that in Victoria as well," he said.

The New Zealand squad is: Honey Hireme, Carla Hohepa, Hazel Tubic, Charlotte Scanlan, Sarah Goss (captain), Gayle Broughton, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Kelly Brazier, Michaela Blyde, Selica Winiata, Portia Woodman, Kayla McAlister.