Māori and First Nations flags to fly at football World Cup

The national Māori flag – Tino Rangatiratanga.
Photo: 123RF

Indigenous flags of Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia will fly at the women’s Football World Cup.

At each of the four host stadiums in Aotearoa – Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Kirikiriroa Hamilton, Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington and Ōtepoti Dunedin the New Zealand flag and tino rangatiratanga Māori flag will be displayed.

While in each of Australia’s six host stadiums, the Australian flag, Australian Aboriginal flag and Torres Strait Islander flags will be flown.

Photo: YouTube/ Harold Thomas

“FIFA recognises the importance of First Nations in Australia and Māori as tangata whenua in Aotearoa New Zealand in the hosting of the World Cup,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“These significant flags express a spirit of mutual respect, national identity and recognition of Indigenous cultures for our hosts,” he said.

“An important step in the delivery and preparation of the tournament was the establishment of an all-women cultural advisory panel to create enduring relationships in partnership with First Nations and Māori communities and to ensure meaningful engagement and inclusion for all cultural touchpoints across the tournament.”

NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

First Nations and Māori cultures will also be strongly represented throughout team welcomes and on matchdays, including in ceremonies and through team captains’ armbands.

New Zealand Football Chief Executive Officer Andrew Pragnell said “flying tino rangatiratanga at the tournament alongside the official country flag is a powerful symbol, reflecting the partnership between the Crown and Māori that is the foundation of this country.”

-RNZ