Moana Pasifika to disband at end of Super Rugby season

Moana Pasifika will be disbanded following the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The Auckland-based side has struggled both on and off the field this year.

Moana Pasifika joined Super Rugby in 2022 along with Fiji-based team Fijian Drua helped by government grants and World Rugby funding.

In 2024 the majority ownership was sold to the Pasifika Medical Association Group, but in recent months it had become clear that the franchise was struggling to secure funding.

"After 5 years of competing in the Super Rugby competition and engaging with communities, Moana Pasifika have made the difficult and heartbreaking decision to disband their Super Rugby franchise following the conclusion of the 2026 season," a Moana Pasifika statement said.

"This decision comes after extensive consideration of the financial, operational, and strategic realities facing the franchise as well as professional rugby in New Zealand. Despite the tireless dedication of players, staff, and supporters, it is no longer viable to continue the franchise at this level of competition."

In a statement, New Zealand Rugby said it was disappointed by the news and would be open to working with potential investors to keep Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby beyond this year.

"New Zealand Rugby (NZR) acknowledges the Moana Pasifika Board's decision that it is no longer viable for the club to continue beyond the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

"Our immediate thoughts are with the players and their families, management and fans.

"NZR remains supportive of Moana Pasifika's vision to create pathways from the Pacific and is saddened by the challenges the club faces. We are aware there may be parties exploring financially viable and sustainable plans for the future of the team. NZR is open to engaging with those parties to discuss the club's continued participation in Super Rugby Pacific."

Moana Pasifika chair Dr Kiki Maoate said it was one of the hardest decisions they have ever made.

"We are immensely proud of our players, staff, and the community who have supported our team over the years.

"Across our rugby, pathways and community programmes, we have been able to support a growing hub of Pacific talent across multiple sporting codes, both locally and in the Pacific region.

"This is something we are extremely proud of and will continue to support and advocate for as best we can.

"Our commitment now is to ensure a smooth transition for everyone affected and to celebrate our legacy by finishing the season strong."

Moana Pasifika head coach, former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga, was already set to depart the club at the end of the season to become an All Blacks assistant coach under Dave Rennie.

Early this season, Umaga called on World Rugby to provide more financial support to Moana.

"We don't get funding from them anymore, and that's their decision," he said.

"But if you look around the world, around how many Pacific Island players are playing in all these different countries, you don't want to lose sight of who we represent and what we can do for this game."

'More than just a team'

Dr Dion Enari, Associate Professor Indigenous and Sport research at Unitec, told RNZ the future of Pacific rugby lay in the hands of the survival of Moana Pasifika.

"It's very sad. I hope the different stakeholders can come together and try and keep Moana Pasifika afloat," Enari said.

"It is more than just a team, it is a marker of cultural identity, an important pathway for Pacific athletes as well. A real space, and a real team where Pacific players can thrive in."

Enari said the team has become a key platform for Pacific representation in the game.

"They are ambassadors for Pacific culture and holding that space, in particular, holding that space within mainstream rugby... we need it, it's a lifeline."

"The future of Pacific rugby lays in the hands of the survival of Moana Pasifika, it is more than just a team. Hopefully it gets the assistance it needs to continue on for future generations."

Moana Pasifika never had a regular home ground and while they did play a game in Apia and Nuku'alofa, the majority were played in Auckland.

The side finished 12th in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, 11th in 2024 and seventh last year.

They are currently 11th and last in the 2026 competition.

Their demise means there will be likely be just ten teams in the Super Rugby in 2027.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.