Final reprieve for Moana Pasifika fails and forces more change for Super Rugby Pacific
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
The final reprieve to save Moana Pasifika has been rejected and means Super Rugby Pacific will drop to 10 teams next year.
New Zealand Rugby said they would not be approving the transfer of Moana’s licence to any new party.
Moana will cease to exist despite Winston Peters suggesting there might be a late financial savour.
Moana Pasifika will cease to exist after a final reprieve from New Zealand Rugby was rejected and means Super Rugby Pacific will drop to 10 teams next year.
The embattled franchise announced plans to disband once their season finished in May.
There were suggestions of a late financial savour, raised by Winston Peters, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after a liquidator was appointed once shareholders voted to wind them up.
Moana were still on life support and a statement on Wednesday confirmed they would not be playing in Super Rugby again. NZ Rugby said a new format would be confirmed in the coming weeks.
NZ Rugby had stepped in with financial backing to ensure Moana could finish their last campaign.
The governing body said they would not be approving the transfer of Moana’s licence to any new party.
“NZR explored every possibility for a long-term solution with several interested parties, including allowing multiple extensions to the 15 May deadline. None of the parties were able to satisfy both the capital and business plan requirements necessary to secure the licence,” NZ Rugby’s statement said.
Chris Kinraid, NZ Rugby’s chief financial officer, said the door was still open for another team to launch from the Pacific Islands, but it won’t be Moana.
“We firmly believe a team can be based in the Pacific Islands and that a sustainable long-term solution can be found in the future. We remain open and willing to engage with anyone who can meet the financial and commercial requirements,” Kinraid said in a statement.
“We also acknowledge the engagement of Minister Winston Peters and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the recognition of the role rugby can play in the Pacific region.
“This has been a difficult time for the Moana Pasifika players, management and fans, and the communities that supported them. A lot of hard work has gone into looking at all possibilities for next season. Unfortunately, the long-term financial requirements to participate in the competition could not be met.”
Kinraid outlined the starting point for reviving another Pacific team.
“A competitive and sustainable team needs commercial revenue of more than NZ$10 million, in addition to broadcast revenue; and at least NZ$15 million in committed capital to support its business plan and maintain appropriate cash reserves,” he added.
Super Rugby Pacific issued a statement saying: “We recognise this outcome is disappointing for everyone connected with the club, including players, coaches, staff, supporters, partners and stakeholders.
“Since joining Super Rugby Pacific in 2022, Moana Pasifika has made a significant contribution to the fabric of our competition and we extend our gratitude to everyone who played a part in that journey.
“There can be no doubt the Pasifika community has been a fundamental part of our competition for the last 30 years, and our commitment to recognising and celebrating that community remains.”
NZ First leader Peters also issued a statement, saying he was “very disappointed” for Pacific rugby “and for the many fans who have supported Moana Pasifika”.
“Today's announcement will be felt strongly by players, their families and supporters. It will also be disappointing to many people in the Pacific who have got in behind the team.
“Less than a month ago, we were approached by a number of parties and rugby lovers seeking our support to put Moana Pasifika on a financially sustainable footing. It would have been helpful if Moana Pasifika had come to us earlier about their financial situation.
“Achieving a result in three weeks to facilitate Moana Pasifika being part of the 2027 season was always going to be a bridge too far. We had hoped NZ Rugby would grant us more time, but they decided they had to move ahead announcing today that the team will not be part of Super Rugby next year.”
Moana’s demise means Super Rugby will drop to 10 sides and require another format change since relaunching in full without South African teams in 2022. The Melbourne Rebels were also lost in 2024 after similar financial woes.
Their playing squad and staff will also be looking for their next jobs after months of uncertainty at their base at North Harbour Stadium.
Granted a licence in 2021, Moana were added to Super Rugby in 2022 and initially had financial support from the Government and World Rugby, but that backing dried up.
Concerns over Moana’s financial sustainability have followed them throughout their existence.
They were established and owned by the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust, with the intention of offering career pathways for Pasifika people, but they withdrew funding.
Coached by Tana Umaga, they finished bottom of the standings in their final season with two wins and 12 defeats and couldn’t reach the playoffs for the first time.
Moana won their final match by beating the Brumbies 21-19 in Canberra.