Moana Pasifika rescue must be more than a bailout, says academic

The future of Moana Pasifika should be built on Pacific ownership and long-term regional partnerships and not short-term financial support, according to one of the region's leading academics.

Professor Steven Ratuva's comments come as debate intensifies over who should step in to save the Super Rugby Pacific franchise after it was placed into liquidation last week, casting doubt over its place in next year's competition.

With the New Zealand Government now signalling it wants to help find a path forward, questions are also being raised about what role rugby can play in strengthening Aotearoa's relationship with the Pacific.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Ratuva said New Zealand's efforts to help save the troubled franchise could become a powerful form of soft diplomacy between Aotearoa and the Pacific.

His comments come after Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters revealed he had discussed Moana Pasifika's future with the leaders of Sāmoa and Tonga during meetings in Apia over the weekend.

Peters said New Zealand officials had been instructed to work urgently with NZ Rugby and other stakeholders to explore "all possible options" for a financially sustainable future for the club.

Moana Pasifika played its final game of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific in Canberra on Saturday. Photo/Facebook/Super Rugby Pacific

But Ratuva said the conversation should go beyond simply finding another source of funding.

"In fact, what really needs to be done is to think outside the box a little bit into the area of bilateral or multilateral soft diplomacy between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands," he told Terite.

He pointed to Australia's investment in Pacific sports including rugby league pathways in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and said New Zealand could adopt a similar approach.

Moana Pasifika's captain Miracle Faiilagi, right, and prop Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa celebrate with former skipper Ardie Savea after their 21-19 win over the Brumbies on Saturday. The Canberra result capped a difficult season as uncertainty continues over the club's future following its placement into liquidation last week. Photo/Facebook/Moana Pasifika

Ratuva believes Sāmoa and Tonga's governments and rugby unions should have a direct stake in any future ownership model, similar to the Fijian Drua structure, which is jointly owned by the Fiji Government and Fiji Rugby.

Ratuva said any long-term solution needed stronger government involvement and regional cooperation with Sāmoa and Tonga’s governments and rugby unions playing a central role in shaping the franchise’s future.

"Tonga and Sāmoa governments can come in together with the rugby unions and reclaim the stake," he said.

Rugby Players Association chief executive Rob Nichol made a similar point during an interview with Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking last week, saying Moana Pasifika's future depended on getting several key foundations right.

Nichol also suggested Moana's struggles were not just financial, saying from a players' perspective the franchise had not been fully set up for success.

He added that the team's future depended on being "owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people" while making better use of its unique commercial opportunities.

Listen to Steven Ratuva's full interview below.

Ratuva also argued New Zealand has strong reasons to support the franchise, given the contribution Pacific players and communities have made to rugby in this country.

"It's part of the way in which New Zealand can actually enrich its relationship with the Pacific region....a significant part of whom are based in New Zealand or live in New Zealand."

Peters has made clear that Moana Pasifika's future is important to Sāmoa, Tonga, and Pacific communities in New Zealand.

"It would be seriously regrettable if Moana Pasifika were unable to take part in future Super Rugby seasons and we want to make sure every option is explored to try to find a sound business proposition and sustainable economic footing for the team," Peters said in a statement.

The club was placed into liquidation last week and finished what could be its final season with a 21-19 win over the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday. Moana also carries significant debt including a $2.75 million government loan.

While discussions appear to be taking place at government level, Tonga Rugby Union chief executive Aisea Aholelei said last Friday that the union had not been approached directly.

Tonga Rugby Union chief executive Aisea Aholelei says any support that helps secure Moana Pasifika's future would be welcomed, although the union had not been approached directly about potential plans when he spoke to PMN's Pacific Huddle last week. Photo/Supplied

"We haven't heard anything from a union perspective," Aholelei told Tuilagi William Loeolahi on PMN's Pacific Huddle.

"But it sounds positive. Any support that helps move Moana Pasifika forward would be welcomed."

The latest developments come as Kanaloa Rugby continues its push to take over the franchise. The bid has already received backing from four Pacific rugby unions - Tonga, Sāmoa, Cook Islands and Niue.

A new bid to rescue Moana Pasifika has emerged, with a consortium led by a Los Angeles-based tech multimillionaire reportedly exploring a proposal to relocate the Super Rugby franchise to Hawai'i.

RNZ reported the Hawai'i-based plan is understood to be separate from the Kanaloa Rugby bid and is one of several options now being considered as stakeholders work to secure the club’s future following its entry into liquidation.

Sources say feasibility work is underway, with the proposal still facing major hurdles around travel logistics and commercial viability as discussions continue over the franchise’s next steps.

Listen to Aisea Aholelei's full interview below.

Supporters have argued that the club's future should remain firmly in Pacific hands.

Ratuva says that principle is crucial. "I think rugby owes the Pacific so much in terms of what it's given," he told Terite.

"And I think it's very important that all of us should look for ways and means to make sure that it's sustainable and continues in the future."

The final whistle may have blown on Moana Pasifika's season but the contest over the franchise's future is only just beginning.

Professor Steven Ratuva is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Pacific) at the University of Canterbury (UC), and Director of the Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies. He previously taught at the University of Auckland's Centre for Pacific Studies before moving to his current leadership roles.