Kanaloa says talanoa underway with Moana Pasifika owners and NZ Rugby over rescue bid

The Kanaloa Rugby Consortium says it has now had “really good traction” in talks with both Moana Pasifika’s owners, the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA), and New Zealand Rugby as it pushes forward with a renewed bid to be involved with the Super Rugby franchise.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings with William Terite, Kanaloa CEO Tracy Atiga said discussions with key parties had progressed in recent weeks with a proposal due to be submitted to New Zealand Rugby.

“We’ve had some really good traction with New Zealand Rugby and also with PMA, which is incredible,” she said.

She said the group was now working through the process ahead of a formal submission deadline.

“We’re just slowly going through that process with them now and hopefully have something that’s a little bit more tangible and viable for a proposal that’s due tomorrow to New Zealand Rugby.”

Atiga’s comments on Thursday follow a previous interview with Terite where she said the consortium’s offer to support or acquire the franchise had been rejected last year by Moana Pasifika’s ownership group.

Watch Kanaloa Rugby's earlier interview with William Terite on Pacific Mornings below.

This time, she suggested the relationship between the parties had shifted.

“We’ve had some really great, robust conversations,” she said. “And it’s been good, it’s been positive.”

Moana Pasifika is owned by the Pasifika Medical Association and backed by New Zealand Rugby. The club has faced ongoing financial pressure since joining Super Rugby Pacific with questions regularly raised about its long-term future.

Moana Pasifika ahead of their Super Rugby Pacific round 13 match against the Hurricanes in Auckland last weekend: The club continues to face financial pressure, with questions ongoing over its long-term future in Super Rugby Pacific. Photo/Photosport/Brett Phibbs

Atiga said the consortium believed it now had funding ready and had cleared earlier misunderstandings about its financial position.

“We’re really excited now that they understand that there is definitely funds available and ready to go,” she said. “I think that’s been the turning point for us.”

She also confirmed the group was aware it was not the only party interested in the franchise.

“We’re not in this race alone. There are probably other groups. We don’t know who they are because nobody’s talking about that.”

New Zealand Rugby chief executive David Kirk said following last week’s NZR AGM in Wellington that there was interest from potential investors in Moana Pasifika but he did not name who those parties were.

Atiga said the consortium believes its Pacific backing strengthens its position to receive support from multiple rugby unions across the region.

Fans at a Moana Pasifika-Blues match in Auckland: Tracy Atiga says the group has had “really good traction” in recent weeks as it prepares a proposal for New Zealand Rugby. Photo/Photosport

“We have the endorsement of four rugby unions across the Pacific already."

She added that the proposal would focus on keeping the team operating but improving its financial and engagement model.

Atiga said Kanaloa understood that the successful bidder would likely need to take over the existing Moana Pasifika model “on an as-is level”, despite the fact the current model “hasn’t been working”.

Atiga said funding would come from a mix of investment and digital revenue streams. She said the details would be revealed only if a deal is agreed.

“If we get the licence and we really hope we do, people will find out after the fact.”

Listen to Tracy Atiga's full interview below.

Neither the Pasifika Medical Association nor New Zealand Rugby has publicly confirmed the status of any current discussions with the consortium.

A statement from NZ Rugby said: "We aren’t in a position to respond to [PMN News] questions .... any questions about Kanaloa are for them to answer.

"We can confirm there are a range of parties engaging on the long-term future of Moana Pasifika.

When asked who were the groups or individuals in these talks, NZ Rugby said: "We won’t be confirming the parties."

PMN News also reached out to Moana Pasifika CEO Debbie Sorensen for comment.

This story has been updated to include NZ Rugby's comment.