Rugby great Sir Michael Jones discussed Moana Pasifika funding with Winston Peters as 'immediate priority'

Author: Azaria Howell,
Publish Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2026, 4:24pm

Winston Peters and Sir Michael Jones met to discuss Moana Pasifika. Photos / Herald

Rugby great Sir Michael Jones wrote to Foreign Minister Winston Peters in an attempt to secure the future of the Moana Pasifika rugby team, and discussed funding as an “immediate priority”.

The rugby franchise was liquidated in May, with New Zealand Rugby (NZR) covering costs for its final game, alongside player salaries – estimated to be $1.3 million total.

A heavily redacted letter obtained by Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act from Jones to Peters stated the “immediate priority” would be to confirm funding so NZ Rugby could make a decision, and implementation could stay on track for FY2027.

Jones wrote it was “lovely” to catch up with Peters in Samoa in June, thanking him “for the opportunity to discuss Moana Pasifika”.

The former loose forward came to prominence in the 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning campaign and is widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play the sport.

“Your officials have already received the business plan and the economic impact assessments for Tonga and Samoa. I am available at any time to answer any questions you may have,” the letter said.

Jones’ letter was sent in early June.

Sir Michael Jones said it was lovely to catch up with Peters in Samoa, and thanked him for the opportunity to speak about Moana Pasifika.

In late June, less than two weeks after a briefing was sent to Government ministers on “resurrecting” the team, NZR confirmed it would not approve transferring Moana Pasifika’s licence to a new party.

Peters wrote back in July.

The Foreign Minister’s response acknowledged the Moana Pasifika Steering Committee’s proposal to establish a new ownership structure for the rugby franchise, and thanked Jones for “efforts to find a positive outcome for Moana Pasifika”.

“We recognise that rugby fosters important connections between New Zealand and Pacific Island countries, particularly in Samoa and Tonga,” Peters said.

“Like you, we were seriously disappointed that no solution was able to be reached to enable Moana Pasifika to participate in Super Rugby Pacific next season,” the Foreign Minister added.

Peters finished his response stating his view there is a “strong case” for a sustainable, commercially sound, Pacific-based Super Rugby franchise.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is conveying to New Zealand Rugby the Government’s interest in seeing the Moana Pasifika franchise continue in future years on those terms. Should a commercially sound proposition emerge in the future, the Government may consider whether limited support could be made available, should it be required,” Peters added.

Winston Peters responded saying he was "seriously disappointed" no solution could keep Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific season.

Winston Peters has previously not ruled out looking at a potential lifeline for the team, but has said it would be dependent on Super Rugby entertaining such a possibility. When asked for an update on where he stands on this issue, Peters said there wasn’t one.

NZR chief financial officer Chris Kinraid has previously said “the door remains open beyond 2027″ including potentially for a team based in the Pacific Islands.

Jones was unable to comment further on the story, when approached by Newstalk ZB.

Azaria Howell is a multimedia reporter working from Parliament’s press gallery. She joined NZME in 2022 and became a Newstalk ZB political reporter in late 2024, with a keen interest in public service agency reform and government spending.