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FWC on Sport Nation guideWinston Peters blasts NZR over Moana Pasifika call
Sport Nation • June 27th, 2026 9:36 am
Winston Peters | Photo: Photosport
Winston Peters has taken aim at New Zealand Rugby’s handling of Moana Pasifika’s future, saying the club should have been given more time and questioning why a 2027 return is not still on the table.
Speaking to Millsy and Guy from the Duke of Malborough in Russell, Peters said the case was bigger than rugby, backing Kyle Mills’ point that more games in the Pacific could help strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with its neighbours and support economic growth in the region.
“It’s just not about sport. It’s also about, as you say, their economic growth.”
Peters said he had been working on a possible programme worth about $12 million, but claimed New Zealand Rugby had put the cost far higher.
“Look, I was working on a programme of, say, $12 million, and I found out the Rugby Union claims it will cost $17 million,” he said.
He said the short timeframe made it difficult to land support, especially when trying to bring in other parties with him.
“To turn something around in three weeks is precious little time to do things,” Peters said.
Ardie Savea playing for Moana Pasifika | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The Foreign Affairs Minister said the problem came to him late, but he believed there were options that had not been properly explored before the decision was made by NZR to not transfer the franchise license and instead shift to a 10-team competition for the 2027 season.
“First of all, they came to me, and I wish they had come a whole lot earlier,” he said.
Peters said he had encouraged those involved to look offshore for support, including in countries where Pasifika players are already heavily involved in professional rugby.
“In short, no one could conceive that I was saying to them, ‘Look, have you asked Japan? Have you asked the United Kingdom? Have you asked France?’”
Not all hope is lost for Moana Pasifika beyond 2027 | Photo: Photosport
His argument was simple.
“You’ve got a stack of Pasifika people playing in all of those countries. Maybe, just maybe, their President or their Prime Minister understands that and is prepared to give you some help.”
Peters said he had planned to raise the issue during an upcoming trip to Japan, but claimed the decision was brought forward before he got the chance.
“The decision was moved forward, not back. They moved it forward to Wednesday, midday, just like that.”
That left him frustrated by NZR’s approach.
“I almost got the feeling they thought, ‘This guy just might succeed, so I better shut it down now' - that’s how bad I felt about it.”
Peters said if NZR had been serious about finding a solution, the governing body should have picked up the phone and reached out.
"If they were really serious about supporting Moana Pasifika, why wouldn’t they say, ‘Is this really a possibility?’
"If I was trying to run a Rugby Union...everything to do with this occupation we call rugby today is about entertainment, money and business. And if you don't understand, you don't know what you're doing, because that's what the new world is.
"I would have called up, but they didn't. That's not the first time I've been disappointed in the Rugby Union over the years, I can tell you."
Moana Pasifika | Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Asked why Moana Pasifika mattered, Peters did not overcomplicate it.
“The only answer is, how do you have Pacific rugby without the Pacific?”
While 2028 has been floated as a possible next opportunity, Peters questioned why the game should wait that long.
“Well, sadly, and alas, it has to be, but why not 2027?”
He also dismissed the idea that competition planning should make that impossible.
“Look, the only difference from your booking is a bye. If the team doesn’t make it next year, it’s a bye.”
For Millsy and Guy though, the verdict was kinder. Peters arrived unsure where he was or why he was there on a live sports radio show in the bridal suite of a Russell hotel, but he left with a review only Winston could give.
“You didn’t ask any wanker questions.”
Listen to the full interview below:
