World governing body FIFA has approved the use of the national Māori flag - as well as Australia's indigenous flags - during the upcoming Women's World Cup.
The confirmation comes after a recommendation from the First Sisters of Country Whānau by Sea and Sky - the tournament's all-woman First Nations and Māori cultural advisory panel.
The Australian and NZ national flags will be flown alongside the Māori flag - known as Tino Rangatiratanga - the Australian Aboriginal flag and the Torres Straight Islands flag.
"Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 provides an opportunity to shape the way the tournament evolves and interacts with its hosts in future editions, and in particular, in recognising the rights of indigenous people worldwide," said NZ Football chief executive Andrew Pragnell.
"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.
"I want to thank FIFA for this decision, as well as acknowledge the work of the NZ Government and the tournament’s cultural advisory panel to achieve this outcome."
Teams have begun arriving in New Zealand and Australia for the tournament, which begins on July 20, when the Football Ferns face Norway at Auckland's Eden Park.
"This week, during NAIDOC Week in Australia and just before Aotearoa New Zealand’s Matariki celebrations, FIFA has acknowledged the request made by its cultural advisory panel, as well as Football Australia and New Zealand Football, which was supported by governments in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand," said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
"These significant flags express a spirit of mutual respect, national identity and recognition of indigenous cultures for our hosts."
