When soccer fans arrive in New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup this month, they will be greeted not in Auckland or Wellington, but in cities called “Tāmaki Makaurau” and “Te Whanganui-a-Tara” in te reo Māori, the country’s Indigenous language. The official documents for the tournament include the English and Indigenous names of each city, and FIFA has announced that First Nations and Māori flags will be flown in every stadium. This shift towards inclusivity reflects an ongoing conversation about New Zealand’s identity, as the country has experienced a concerted effort to correctly pronounce and use Māori names. The revitalization of te reo Māori is a part of a larger movement to preserve the language and reclaim Māori culture from the effects of colonialism. While some view the move toward a bicultural society as divisive, many New Zealanders have embraced it, recognizing that Māori place names tell important stories and contain valuable knowledge about the land.
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