‘No problem, no pain’: Liquidation of Moana Pasifika could have been avoided - Atiga

Moana Pasifika’s future is back under the spotlight after the Super Rugby Pacific club entered liquidation, a move Kanaloa Rugby believes could have been avoided.

Teneo Financial Advisory was appointed liquidator on Monday, prompting fresh questions about the future of the Pacific franchise and who now controls its direction.

For Kanaloa Rugby CEO Tracy Atiga, the news was difficult to take.

“In our opinion, [it's] really disheartening to see that it’s gone into liquidation when we made an offer... in October last year, which would have seen none of this occur,” Atiga said.

“No heartache, no problem, no pain.”

Kanaloa’s proposed rescue package was reportedly worth $15 million and aimed at stabilising the club, which has faced estimated yearly operating costs of around $10 million.

Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (left) hugging Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi (right) in their last home game of the season. Photo/Brett Phibbs/Photosport

Atiga said previous discussions between Kanaloa, the PMA, and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had been in “really good traction” before the liquidation announcement.

Now she says the process has become uncertain.

After speaking with Chris Lendrum outgoing NZR General Manager on Tuesday morning, Atiga said Kanaloa is seeking clarity on what happens next.

“We’d obviously like to discuss New Zealand Rugby’s plans or their intentions regarding the liquidation. And how this now affects the process that we’re currently undergoing with New Zealand Rugby.”

According to Atiga, Lendrum redirected Kanaloa’s queries to NZR’s Chris Noakes, the Contracting and Relationship Manager, and Tom Turton, the General Counsel.

But Atiga says concerns remain around the “process and how we might proceed… if there’s really no legal entity”.

The liquidation has also reopened frustrations around Moana Pasifika’s original Super Rugby licence arrangement.

Atiga says Kanaloa still does not fully understand what New Zealand Rugby is offering the consortium.

“We are still no closer to understanding what it is that New Zealand Rugby are actually selling… and this is the same problem we had six years ago when we originally bid for a licence.

“We were told it was going to be a minimum of five years and potentially a perpetual license and then at the 11th hour, we were told that it was a one-year licence because they didn’t actually have the rights to sell beyond one year.”

Moana Pasifika officially joined Super Rugby in 2022 after first coming together in 2020 for a one-off exhibition match. The side played its first Super Rugby game on 4 March 2022, marking a major moment for Pacific rugby.

It was also a breakthrough moment for Pacific rugby, giving players from across the islands and diaspora a dedicated Super Rugby team.

For Atiga, the liquidation reflects deeper concerns about how Pacific rugby pathways are being managed.

“When you’re six years down the track, and you’re 10 million dollars worse off and no traction for our Pasifika island nations… we feel like we [Kanaloa] have a duty to stand up.”

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told Radio New Zealand there is “good news” ahead for Moana Pasifika’s future but he did not give any details, saying only, “you have to wait".