12 August 2025
The event was led by MFA kaumātua Phill Pickering-Parker, who returned to his hometown and to the school he attended in the 1970s. Phill shared his personal journey from Rotorua to representing New Zealand at U-16 level, presenting the school with a framed Māori Football Aotearoa jersey and his framed New Zealand international jersey.
Speaking to the tamariki, Phill encouraged them to dream of one day pulling on either jersey – Māori Football Aotearoa or New Zealand – if they worked hard, had fun, and enjoyed playing the game.
“The visit to Whakarewarewa School was an emotional one but also very important as we plant the seed of Māori engagement with the sport of football at an early age,” Phill said. “It is vital that we connect tamariki with the game and blend the passion, fun, and ambition of the sport early so they can see there is a pathway into the future for them.”
Representing both Māori Football Aotearoa and Auckland City FC was Gordon Watson, General Manager of both organisations, who had recently returned from the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA.
Gordon shared how his own football journey was shaped by his whānau and upbringing, and how the kaupapa of the visit was to open the football pathway in the imagination of the children.
“Through our kōrero, we wanted to spark their curiosity, then back that up with some futsal, showing how they can progress from school football to club football, to Māori Football Aotearoa representation, and perhaps one day a national team career. But even if they don’t reach those heights, football can give them fitness, fun, friendships, and a lifetime connection to the game.”
Gordon also pointed to the example of two Auckland City FC players with strong Māori connections – Jackson Manuel and Adam Bell – who represented the club at the FIFA Club World Cup in June, facing Bayern Munich, SL Benfica, and Boca Juniors.
The day was further enriched by the contribution of Sergio, a local coach with Waiariki FC and Māori Football, and a former professional player with Santos in Brazil and in Japan. Sergio now devotes his time to coaching football and futsal to local children, playing a key role in delivering MFA and club programmes in the Waiariki region.
The visit was supported by Natalie Broadhead of WaiBOP Football and Kimiora Insley of Sport Bay of Plenty, whose involvement highlighted the importance of collaboration across football’s regional and cultural networks.
Support for the delivery of the Kōtuitui programme – was an essential feature of the day.
For Auckland City FC, the Whakarewarewa Primary School visit was an opportunity to contribute to a kaupapa that strengthens the game’s foundations, inspires tamariki, and connects communities through football.
Ends