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Sport Nation
NZR ‘optimistic’ for Moana Pasifika long-term future
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 25th, 2026 9:51 am
Not all hope is lost for Moana Pasifika | Photo: Photosport
New Zealand Rugby is confident there could be a future for Moana Pasifika in the long-term, despite confirmation of being axed from the Super Rugby Pacific competition on Wednesday.
Chief Financial Officer Chris Kinraid revealed to Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy that NZR received strong interest from investors and governments despite not backing the team beyond 2026.
Moana Pasifika entered Super Rugby in 2022 to provide a professional pathway for Pacific Island talent, however the curtain has closed after five seasons marked by heavy financial losses.
A number of reported rescue proposals have since emerged, including plans to relocate the franchise to Hawaii, but whispers of backing from New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Pacific governments to keep the team alive.
Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga | Photo: Photosport
“We're actually quite encouraged by the level of interest from a number of parties to standing up a team and the majority of them were based on a forward timeframe of '28 and beyond," Kinraid said.
"So we're really encouraged by that and by the level of interest from government support, which will be critical, as well as private investor support to standing up a long term viable team.
“There's expansion opportunities for the Super Rugby competition and that obviously has to be agreed with Rugby Australia and the competition but we were encouraged by the level of interest in the team.”
However in the immediate term, the business case failed to stack up.
Augestime Pulu of Moana Pasifika is tackled by Charlie Cale of the Brumbies | Photo: Photosport
“In the business case provided, it was a significantly loss-making scenario, which required significant capital for that structure and team to compete for, or to exist for a four-year period.
“We made our assessment that the team and the competition has to last through to the next broadcast cycle in four years' time and just based on the business-case provided and some pretty basic sensitivity analysis on the risk to that business case, sufficient capital wasn't available or raised to support that.
"So it was just a really a loss-making enterprise in that interim period.”
In the light of significant loss, Kinraid and NZR wanted to make the responsible decision to take time in assessing the potential of another Pacific team.
Moana Pasifika licence decision brings many questions | Sport Nation Mornings
“We think there's definitely a long-term proposition there.
“We did receive a number of interested parties which had the right mix of commercial support and investment, as well as government support and backing.
“We think a combination of the two could be a really compelling case. But for a team to stand up on its own two feet, it definitely needs strong commercial support for the long run.”
Kinraid also emphasised the remaining Super Rugby Pacific clubs are supported by stable financial footing.
“They all have credible and significant capital backing to support the team.
“All the other super teams under our remit have significant support in capital banking and a good mix of union support and private capital to support it.”
NZR's focus remains on strengthening the competition's commercial foundations.
Kinraid also noted Super Rugby Pacific chief executive Jack Mesley is working on a structure for a 10-team Super Rugby Pacific competition, with further announcements regarding the schedule expected in due course.
Listen to the full interview below:
