January 2 – New Zealand Football (NZF) have partnered with Māori Football Aotearoa to support the development of the game.
The partnership between the governing body and Māori Football Aotearoa will focus on supporting national and international activity for the Māori teams, delivering and expanding the Kōtuitui schools programme as well as developing the Māori women’s game.
In a statement, New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said: “This is an important agreement which recognises the deepening of the relationship between New Zealand Football and Māori Football Aotearoa at a time when football is exploding across the country. Over the past sixteen years, Māori Football Aotearoa have delivered some amazing work, and we look forward to ensuring New Zealand Football helps to support and amplify that mahi.”
Māori Football Aotearoa was established in 2008 and for years the organisation has been campaigning for more recognition for Māori football and the broader integration of Māori in the football community. On the sidelines of last year’s Women’s World Cup, Māori Football Aotearoa and the Australian Indigenous Football Council demanded more self-determination, proper funding and better grassroots programs.
“It is built off years of grinding, of community grassroots mahi, as well as engagement with Indigenous groups overseas, all in the name of football, celebrating our culture and who we are as Māori in the game of football here in Aotearoa,” said Māori Football Aotearoa board member Hone Fowler. “So, we see it as a huge step forward for Māori Football Aotearoa and our game as a whole, as well as New Zealand Football.”
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