Ahead of tomorrow’s 2026 NZ Sport and Recreation Awards, New Zealand Football welcomes its nomination in the Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion category, reiterating its commitment to Pasifika football.

NZF was named as a finalist in the category last month for work in engaging with Pasifika in community football.

As a result of NZF’s work in this space, Pasifika participation grew by 8% in 2025 along with a 10% growth in Pasifika female participation, 97% growth in coach education.

In the same year, more than 3,200 coaches engaged in formal development pathways, representing a 25% increase year-on-year.

Diversity and Inclusion Manager Hussain Hanif says the efforts to engage with Pasifika has flowed from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Legacy Project in Aotearoa.

He says the organisation recognises that inclusion is not achieved through participation alone.

“It requires intentional design across systems, environments, and leadership structures to ensure individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered.

“This includes culturally appropriate engagement, representation in decision-making, and creating spaces where Pasifika identities and values are acknowledged and celebrated.

“Our Pasifika in Community Football project reflects a shift from engagement to relational, community-led development.

“By embedding Pacific values such as respect, collectivism, and reciprocity into delivery, we are building a more equitable and culturally responsive system.

“This work ensures football is not only accessible, but meaningful enabling Pasifika communities to shape the game in ways that reflect who they are, on and off the field.”

To better identify gaps in NZF’s approach to Pasifika communities, the organisation partnered with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to undertake a nationwide Talanoa process. This included three in-person Talanoa sessions held in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), Ōtautahi (Christchurch), and Te Whanga-nui a tara (Wellington), alongside online engagement, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of Pacific voices with a total of 208 participants interviewed through the process.

The nomination follows NZF claiming double honours at the 2026 Diversity Awards NZ™, awarded the He Ara Māori Tohu - Cultural Competence Award and the 2026 Supreme Award.

New Zealand Sport and Recreation says the Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion category acknowledges an initiative promoting diversity and inclusion through access, participation, leadership or community connection.

New Zealand Football's General Manager of People, Finance & Business Transformation, Tarryn McKenzie, was also named as a finalist for the Susie Simcock Future Leaders’ Scholarship category.

New Zealand Sport and Recreation says the Susie Simcock Future Leaders’ Scholarship recognises an emerging leader showing exceptional leadership and impact within their organisation or communities.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the New Zealand International Conference Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on Monday 8 June, with 18 finalists shortlisted across 6 main categories. 

Article added: Sunday 07 June 2026