Henry (left) and Hansen worked together briefly with Wales

Hansen was brought to Wales as Henry's right-hand man January 2002, but found himself as caretaker head coach just a month later after Henry's resignation.

He will leave his post with Wales when his contract expires after this season's Six Nations championship.

"Graham Henry has asked me to do the job. It's a great honour to be asked by him," Hansen said.

"I am just honoured he thinks I am good enough to be able to do it and that he's chosen me from a number of good coaches he has got at his disposal.

"The pinnacle for any coach is obviously coaching your own national team."

But Hansen stressed the offer had not been ratified by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

"Until they confirm it, I don't have the job," Hansen told The Western Mail newspaper.

"So there's not much point getting excited about it until that's the case."

Of more immediate concern to Hansen is his squad for the forthcoming Six Nations.

The 47-man training squad is expected to be whittled down to 30 next Monday, as Wales turn their attention to the championship opener at home to Scotland on 14 February.