A unique cross-Tasman cultural exchange took place recently as Māori Football Aotearoa (MFA) welcomed A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers (WSW) to Tāmaki Makaurau during their visit to face Auckland FC.
What began as a professional connection through the FIFA Club Management Diploma has grown into a shared kaupapa, with both organisations united by their commitment to community, cultural identity, and the power of football to connect.
Among those present at the exchange were FIFA World Cup winner Juan Mata and WSW skipper Lawrence Thomas, both current players with the Wanderers. Mata and MFA board member Gordon Watson are members of the 3rd edition of FIFA’s Club Management Diploma, while Thomas is a newly inducted member of the 4th edition cohort. WSW CEO Scott Hudson also represents the club on the current course.
Representing Māori Football Aotearoa was Reon Werahiko, a goalkeeper at Auckland City FC, a current MFA administrator, and a proud exponent of te ao Māori. Werahiko welcomed the visitors and shared the deeper meaning behind the intricate designs on MFA’s bespoke playing jerseys—explaining how each pattern, each weave, carries whakapapa and wairua.
Originally, the event was set to include a haka, waiata and whaikōrero at Keith Hay Park, but heavy rain forced a change of plans. The kaupapa, however, remained intact.
Six MFA jerseys were exchanged with WSW, including garments for Head Coach Alen Stajcic and players Mata and Thomas. These taonga now head back to Australia, where it’s hoped at least one will find a place on the walls of the WSW club offices.
In return, WSW gifted three jerseys to MFA, including Thomas’ own goalkeeper strip, a team-signed kit, and a jersey presented by Mata himself—symbols of the deepening bond between two organisations from opposite sides of the Tasman. Watson, who first visited WSW during the Sydney Derby in 2023, says the connection between the two clubs feels natural.
“Western Sydney Wanderers are what you call a proper football club. It has a passionate fanbase, a unique derby match with their local rivals, and they are serious about their commitment to the people in their local area, the fans, and the community they share their location with,” said Watson. “I was deeply impressed with everything they do—whether it be engaging with their local community or setting standards for their men’s and women’s teams. “This is of interest to Māori Football Aotearoa because we have a significant number of people of Māori heritage who were born and brought up in Australia and in Sydney, people we want to reach out to and connect with through football. “I spoke with Scott about this last year, and having Juan Mata on the FIFA Club Management Diploma, and playing for WSW, just strengthens the idea that this network, this alumni of colleagues within football, can achieve great and often unexpected things.”
The appreciation was mutual. Wanderers captain Lawrence Thomas spoke of the manaakitanga shown by MFA during the exchange.
“One of the reasons we all love football is the connections you get to make with people you meet around the world,” Thomas said. “We have the pleasure to not only travel across our own country, but across the world, and we get to create strong connections with lots of different people from different backgrounds. “We’ve been to New Zealand a few times now and seeing the kindness and generosity from Māori Football Aotearoa touches your heart—whether you’re from New Zealand or not. “We appreciate the welcome and we thank MFA for your kindness and acceptance into your country. You will always be welcome at Western Sydney Wanderers.”
The exchange represents a meaningful step in building trans-Tasman relationships that centre indigenous values, shared histories, and football as a vehicle for cultural understanding and connection.
Māori Football Aotearoa wishes WSW the very best for the remainder of their A-League campaign and looks forward to further kaupapa, collaboration and connection in the near future.
Ka mua, ka muri. He waka eke noa.
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Published by Māori Football on 9 April 2025