The New Zealand National Maori (men and woman) National Football Teams are scheduled to visit Australia between 28th June 2023 – 8th July 2023 to play three international tests against the Australian Indigenousroos (men) and the Australian Indigenous Koalas (women) national football teams. Team Maori will also exchange culture and story with the Indigenous peoples of Southeast Queensland, Sydney NSW and the Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia.

This historic visit to Australia has been scheduled to coincide with NAIDOC Week 2023. Brisbane has recently been named as national focus for NAIDOC 2023 and the Māori are excited with their upcoming visit to Australia and then Sydney thereafter. The Māori’s visiting teams will consist of elders, performers, and elite footballers (up to 70 Native Maori).

Like Australia, the Maori National Indigenous football teams are selected from their national titles which is independently organised through their peak organisation Maori Football Aotearoa. The International Festival of Indigenous Football endeavours to continue a long-standing cultural and sporting relationship with the traditional owners of the two countries. The vision has always been to exchange culture and story through the World Game.