New Zealand Rugby has officially rejected all rescue bids aimed at keeping Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby, ending the franchise's four-year run in the competition.
The decision came on Wednesday after multiple consortiums failed to meet NZR's financial requirements. The franchise had already entered liquidation when the rescue attempts began.
Four bids, no confirmed capital
NZR received four bids to rescue the team, but by decision day only one remained viable for the 2027 season. That bid also lacked the necessary funding.
Chief financial officer Chris Kinraid acknowledged the difficulty of the decision given the team's significance to Pacific rugby, but fundamental requirements were not met. "It really came down to a key criteria of committed capital and a timeframe to establish that capital to stand up a team for next year," Kinraid said.
The compressed timeline added to the difficulty. "The time constraints meant the ability to stand up a team in less than a two-month window, with established capital, a viable commercial plan and sponsors, made it very difficult to grant a licence to a bid that didn't have that capital in place," Kinraid said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters assisted in connecting Pacific governments with potential investors during the rescue process. Despite those efforts, no bid secured the required backing. "But as of today, there has been no confirmed capital attached to that bid," Kinraid said of the final proposal. "We've not seen that capital."
$8.2 million in creditor claims
Moana Pasifika faces more than $8 million in creditor claims. The franchise owes Sport NZ a $2.75 million loan, and liquidators estimate total claims at approximately $8.2 million, though that figure may change.
NZR has committed to supporting players and staff financially through to the end of July, but Kinraid said that assistance cannot continue indefinitely.
"We don't have an empty chequebook. We have provincial unions, community rugby and the wider game to support. We can't continue funding private enterprises or privately owned teams indefinitely," Kinraid said.
Door open for future bids
NZR remains open to future bids for a Pasifika franchise beyond 2027. Kinraid said NZR's dedication to Pacific rugby continues unchanged, and the prospect of a financially viable franchise operating from Tonga or Samoa has not been ruled out.
He rejected the notion that Moana Pasifika's four-year run should be viewed as a failure. NZR and other parties were instrumental in establishing the franchise in the first place.
"If you don't try something, you'll fail anyway," Kinraid said. "It's a sad time for Moana Pasifika and our thoughts always remain with the players and the fans of the team."