---
title: New Zealand Football wins 2026 Diversity Awards NZ™
description: New Zealand Football wins the 2026 Diversity Awards NZ™ Supreme Award for Tiriti-led transformation, Māori partnership and cultural change in football.
---

[News ](https://workplaceinclusion.org.nz/news)

# [New Zealand Football wins 2026 Diversity Awards NZ™](https://workplaceinclusion.org.nz/news/new-zealand-football-wins-2026-diversity-awards-nz)

 Written by [Te Uru Tāngata](https://workplaceinclusion.org.nz/news/author/te-uru-tāngata-centre-for-workplace-inclusion) | 5 May 2026

New Zealand Football is driving a bold shift to address the historic underrepresentation of Māori across all levels of the game — from players and coaches to referees and leadership — reshaping football to better reflect and serve communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This mahi saw the sport’s national body take out the Supreme Award at the 2026 Diversity Awards NZ™.

Te Uru Tāngata Centre for Workplace Inclusion Chief Executive Maretha Smit says New Zealand Football has tackled historic and systemic inequity by embedding tikanga Māori and building authentic partnerships as a foundation for change.

“They have worked closely with Māori Football Aotearoa (MFA) and iwi partners such as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to co-design a range of initiatives to strengthen participation, leadership pathways, and cultural capability.”

These include the development of Te Whāriki o te Tiriti, a cultural framework guiding governance and operations, integration of tikanga into football events, and investment in Māori leadership development through coaching pathways and national programmes.

The changes have driven a nine per cent increase in Māori player participation and delivered 90 per cent engagement in cultural learning across the organisation’s staff.

“What stood out for our judges was the depth of partnership and co-creation, ensuring that Māori are not only included but are actively shaping the direction of the organisation,” Maretha says.

“The combination of governance reform, capability building, and participation outcomes reflects a highly credible example of Tiriti-led transformation. This positions New Zealand Football as a leading example of how national bodies can meaningfully respond to Te Tiriti obligations while strengthening identity and performance.”

New Zealand Football also won the He Ara Māori Tohu at the awards.

The Diversity Awards NZ™ programme showcases the full breadth of workplace inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand, recognising excellence at every level — individual, team, and organisation.

###### **Here is the full list of 2026 winners:**

**  
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS**

**Inclusive Leader of the Year Award  
**Joint Winner – Ed Collett, Air New Zealand  
Joint Winner – Superintendent Tracey Thompson, New Zealand Police

**Workplace Inclusion Professional of the Year Award**

Winner – Anna Paris, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi  
Highly Commended – Max Wallace, Tap In

**Emerging Inclusion Champion of the Year Award  
**Winner – Einnee Facey, Northland Regional Council

**ORGANISATION AWARDS**

**Inclusive Workplace Award  
**Medium-Large Organisation Winner – Hind Management  
Medium-Large Organisation Highly Commended – Chorus

**Breaking Barriers Award  
**Medium-Large Organisation Winner – Kinetic

**TEAM AWARDS**

**Respectful Culture Award  
**Winner – Rio Tinto

**Employee Networks Award  
**Winner – Air New Zealand - Employee Networks

**FEATURE AWARDS**

**Gender Equity Award  
**Winner – Mums in Blue

**He Ara Māori Tohu  
**Winner – New Zealand Football

**Neurodiverse Talent Award  
**Winner – Accessibility Network, AIA NZ

**Rainbow Belonging Award **  
Winner – SkyCity Pride

**PINNACLE AWARDS**

**People’s Choice Award  
**Winner –  Kinetic 

**Supreme Award  
**Winner – New Zealand Football

[View full post](https://workplaceinclusion.org.nz/news/new-zealand-football-wins-2026-diversity-awards-nz)

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