Tino Rangatiratanga- Indigenous (MĀORI) Sovereignty and the messy realities of reconciliation efforts at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Abstract

Organisers of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup event made explicit their aim to ‘be and do better’ regarding the inclusion and representation of Indigenous peoples. This was particularly important because in seeking to jointly secure the right to host the event, both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia made much of including and showcasing Indigenous cultures in their respective countries. Subsequently, organisers incorporated Indigenous flags, language, and rituals throughout the event. FIFA appointed cultural advisors to enhance cultural understanding among teams. However, the Spanish national team, “La Roja”, sparked controversy by posting a video mocking the haka, ‘Ka Mate,’ a cultural treasure to Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. This led to public outcry, calls for apology, and efforts to reconcile relations. In this commentary, we explore this incident, critiquing FIFA and the current state of event management regarding the inclusion of Indigeneity and engagement with Indigenous Peoples.