Winston Peters criticises media over Moana Pasifika funding

Foreign Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has criticised ‘mainstream media’ for spreading false claims about the misuse of public funds related to Moana Pasifika rugby.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Peters says he recently met with representatives from Moana Pasifika following the allegations.

“They've been getting some awful publicity recently, which is not true. It is totally false,” Peters says.

His comments follow allegations that public funds have been misused.

Pasifika Futures, a subsidiary of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), ran a Whānau Ora commissioning contract until the end of June 2025.

It has been claimed in media reports that over the past few years, the PMA used the Whānau Ora contract to bolster Moana Pasifika's finances by $770,000 per year.

Formed in 1996, the Pasifika Medical Association was established by Pacific medical professionals to create a forum for doctors, students, and other health workers to connect and collaborate. Photo/PMA

Moana Pasifika has been an entity of PMA since July 2024. The transition involved the establishment of the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust to oversee both the rugby team and its community sports programme.

The PMA CEO, Debbie Sorensen, also took on the responsibility of Moana Pasifika's CEO on an interim basis. Sorensen is also the CEO of Pasifika Futures.

Last week, Te Puni Kōkiri, the government’s principal policy adviser for Māori wellbeing and development, announced it would initiate an independent review in light of the allegations.

Watch Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea address the allegations.

In a statement released Friday, Dr Kiki Maoate, the chairman of PMA, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to transparency, pointing to their regular independent audits.

"We welcome the review and are fully cooperating, consistent with our ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust," Maoate says.

"To safeguard the integrity of that process and the vital work we deliver in Pacific communities, it is critical that the review is allowed to run its course not overtaken by speculation or incomplete commentary."

Maoate says in a close-knit community, professional and familial ties often intersect.

"That’s why we have clear governance policies to manage conflicts of interest in line with the formal obligations that apply to a registered charity, including employment and contracting matters, with a focus on integrity, impact and service," he says.

Watch Winston Peters' full interview below.

"Since the franchise was brought in-house, PMA has also provided internal financial support. None of this support has come from Whānau Ora or other public funding sources.

"PMA generates its own income and is not reliant solely on government funding. It has built significant equity over 28 years, including savings and a property portfolio. This financial strength has enabled it to support the franchise without drawing on public money."

Peters says the recent allegations are defamatory. “I was listening to this, and I thought, hang on a second, a lot of this stuff isn't critical, it's defamatory, it's saying that money was misused.

“Let's go and find out the truth and find out those people who have been spreading misinformation in the mainstream media and deal with it,” Peters says.