Home of Football

The dream of a dedicated hub for football in Oceania became a reality on December 3, 2021, with the long-awaited completion of the Oceania Football Confederation Home of Football in Auckland.

Built with funding and support from FIFA and UEFA Assist, the facility houses OFC’s New Zealand-based staff and will serve as a welcoming home away from home for touring Member Associations and the wider football family.

In addition to the administration spaces, the Home of Football has two artificial pitches and dressing rooms suitable for hosting elite matches.

Earlier this year both pitches also passed inspection by the New Zealand Turf Institute, recognising a good standard of maintenance by the OFC Facilities department.

After being blessed at a ceremony attended by esteemed representatives from Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Tainui (Kīngitanga representative), Māori Football Aotearoa and the OFC, the Home of Football was gifted the Māori name Te Kahu o Kiwa.

Derived from two separate meanings. Te Kahu is short for kākahu and refers to the cloak/the cloth with the intent to ‘keep safe/kia haumaru’ under the principles of manaakitanga/care and aroha/compassion, which are universal principles for Māori and whanaunga rangatira o te Moananui ā Kiwa/esteemed relations of the Pacific. Kiwa is an ancient ancestor for Māori and Te Moananui ā Kiwa/The Great Ocean of Kiwa/Pacific Ocean and provides the hononga/ connection to those nations of the Pacific.

Plans are in place to mark the completion of the project with a formal inauguration attended by representatives of FIFA, UEFA and OFC Member Associations.

• Completion of Home of Football • Maori name Te Kahu o Kiwa gifted at blessing ceremony on December 3 • Fields 1 and 2 passed inspection by the New

Zealand Turf Institute, recognising a good standard of maintenance

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