Festivals

Regional Football Festivals

Regional ethnic football events have been held by councils and/or local ethnic organisations for some years.

Many of the teams taking part in regional football tournaments are made up of new migrants. Police support these events in their areas.

Auckland

The Auckland Ethnic Soccer Cup tournament is part of the International Cultural Festival. more>

Hamilton

New Zealand's longest standing ethnic soccer festival takes place in Hamilton. more>

Upper Hutt

An annual multi-ethnic soccer tournament is jointly organised by the Upper Hutt City Council and the Upper Hutt Multi-Ethnic Council. The tournament is usually held during September-October. Contact: Tayo@coldstore.co.nz.

Wellington

The 2008 NZ Communities Football Cup is hosted by Wellington City Council. WCC also organises Culture Kicks, Wellington City's mini World Cup, a six-a-side tournament with shortened games, which started in 2006 with 22 teams.

Culture Kicks 2008 attracted 40 teams, playing in either a social or competitive grade. The major final winner was Freistaat Bavaria; runners up Somalia. Minor final winner was the Sudanese team. [pics]

Culture Kicks is supported by Wellington City Council, Capital and Coast District Health Board, South East and City Primary Health Organisation, Office of Ethnic Affairs, New Zealand Aids Foundation, New Zealand Police, National Heart Foundation, Ministry of Youth Development and Team Wellington Football Club.

www.wellington.govt.nz contact Craig Ireson

Christchurch

The Christchurch Ethnic Football Festival is part of Christchurch City Council's Summer Times programme. Now in its fifth year, the festival was set up as the result of ethnic communities in Christchurch coming together to pursue their passion for the game of football. Contact Ken Howat on 03 941 6729. This festival is supported by Canterbury Police.