New Zealand Rugby has confirmed Moana Pasifika will not play in the 2027 Super Rugby competition, following the team's liquidation in May.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon ruled out a government bailout, saying taxpayers would not support further funding for the franchise. Sport New Zealand had previously lent the team $3 million when it launched.
"We've put money in this before, it's failed," Luxon said. "Is that the best use of our money? Probably there's other things like schools, roads, and hospitals that Kiwis would want more than support for a professional sports team."
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said he believed he could have secured international backing involving Japan, France and the UK with another month to negotiate. He said parties in Scandinavia and Saudi Arabia had expressed interest in funding the team during recent visits.
"I needed another month, actually, because of the other people I wanted to speak to, like in France, and like the UK and like Japan, but I never got a chance logistically to be able to pull it off," Peters said.
Peters travelled to Samoa in June and told Pacific leaders New Zealand was looking at all options for the team's future. He said rugby supporters had approached him seeking help to make Moana Pasifika financially viable, but the three-week timeframe was insufficient.
"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," Peters said.
NZ Rugby chief financial officer Chris Kinraid said a sustainable Moana Pasifika operation would require commercial revenue exceeding $10 million and at least $15 million in committed capital to support operations and cash reserves. New Zealand Rugby rejected several rescue bids before announcing the 2027 decision.
The organisation has left open the possibility of Moana Pasifika competing beyond 2027. The government is seeking advice on recovering outstanding funds from the Sport New Zealand loan.