New Zealand Rugby sidesteps Pacific backing question on Moana Pasifika future

New Zealand Rugby has declined to confirm whether Pacific rugby unions are backing the Kanaloa Consortium takeover bid for Moana Pasifika.

This comes despite growing calls for Pacific nations to have a stronger voice in the franchise’s future.

In responses sent to PMN News, NZ Rugby repeatedly avoided directly responding to claims made this week by Kanaloa Rugby executive Tracy Atiga including suggestions the consortium has support from several Pacific Island rugby unions.

Asked whether rugby unions from Sāmoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, and Niue had formally endorsed Kanaloa’s bid, NZ Rugby responded: “NZR is not in a position to provide information related to interested parties.”

The answer comes as the future ownership of Moana Pasifika becomes one of the biggest issues facing Pacific rugby.

The franchise was placed into liquidation this week after the club's owners, Pasifika Medical Association Group, moved to wind up the organisation with Teneo Financial Advisory appointed as liquidators.

Moana Pasifika players continue to front up on the field despite uncertainty off it, with the club’s future still under liquidation and competing bids for the licence emerging. Photo/Photosport/Kerry Marshall

But while liquidation is now underway, the fight over who controls the next chapter of Moana Pasifika is intensifying behind the scenes.

Kanaloa Rugby, fronted by former All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko, has pushed for a Pacific-led future for the club.

Speaking earlier with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Atiga said Pacific nations should have greater “sovereignty” and decision-making power over a team created to represent Pacific people and players.

Watch Tracy Atiga's full interview below.

NZ Rugby did not directly engage with those comments. “Moana Pasifika is a privately owned Super Rugby club,” it said.

NZ Rugby also avoided responding to Atiga’s claim that the liquidation “could have been avoided” if Kanaloa’s earlier rescue proposal had been accepted.

“That is a question for PMA and Kanaloa.”

While NZ Rugby would not discuss specific bidders, it confirmed there is more than one group interested in taking over the licence. “There are more than one interested party.”

The Kanaloa bid has also received backing from the Pacific Rugby Players Association, which represents Pasifika athletes across the region and abroad.

According to ABC Pacific, the association is “putting its support behind a takeover bid from the Kanaloa consortium”.

Moana Pasifika sit at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder heading into the final round of pool games, as attention off the field intensifies over ownership and direction. Photo/Moana Pasifika

NZ Rugby also signalled that any successful bidder would need to prove long-term financial stability rather than rely on emotion or symbolism.

“Interested parties will need to present a long-term, sustainable business plan.”

But for many across Pacific rugby supporters and former players, the future of Moana Pasifika is about more than finances or ownership structures.

The franchise was created to give Pacific players and communities a stronger place in professional rugby.

That response is likely to sharpen debate around whether Pacific backing alone will be enough to secure the future of the franchise or whether financial strength will ultimately decide who takes control.

Moana Pasifika was launched to create a professional pathway for Pacific players and strengthen Pacific representation in Super Rugby.

Watch (from 7:20) Steve Lancaster's media conference following his appointment as NZR's new CEO.

Former Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu recently spoke about the wider meaning of the club following the liquidation news.

He told ESPN that Moana Pasifika “represents Pasifika people all over the globe”.

Now with the club’s future uncertain, questions are growing over whether Pacific communities will have meaningful influence over what comes next.

Despite the uncertainty, NZ Rugby says it still supports the original vision behind the team.

“NZR remains supportive of the purpose of Moana Pasifika to provide a high-performance pathway for Pasifika rugby players.”

Debate continues over who should shape the future of Moana Pasifika, with Pacific rugby voices calling for greater influence as NZ Rugby focuses on financial stability and long-term sustainability of the licence. Photo/Facebook/Moana Pasifika

Moana Pasifika was originally established to create the first professional Pacific rugby team with prominent figures including Sir Michael Jones and Bryan Williams helping shape the vision behind the franchise.

The debate is now growing beyond who can financially rescue the franchise and who should shape the future direction of Pacific rugby at the professional level.

For many Pacific rugby figures, the fight over Moana Pasifika is becoming about more than survival. It is about whether Pacific rugby finally gets control of its own future.