June 27, 2025 • 9 mins
A breakdown at the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise as questions mount over disclosure and transparency at ownership level.
The Herald reports the team received around eight million dollars in government help across the first three seasons.
Concern now centres on the charity Pasifika Medical Association Group which bought the franchise last year, and a reduction in their Whanau Ora contracts.
Those have previously been used to bolster Moana Pasifika's finances, a strategy reported as contentious among health service providers to the Polynesian community.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Right, let's move on now to talk. It's not a
great story is that we've had a couple of pretty
horrid stories this week in the wonderful wide world of sport.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
This is all.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Around Moana Passifica and the dire financial straits they reportedly
have found themselves and so if it were to collapse,
well we'll see. I'm talk about that now with from
All Black and All Round GC. He's a huge advocate
of Pacific rugby. Peter Alertini, welcome to the program.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good evening, Good aven he does or is the pleasure
my man?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Great to be chatting again, but maybe not under the
best of circumstances, with the possibility that Moana Pussifica, after
causing up a big ruckus this year and what they've done,
might not be around next to you through the financial
difficulties that they are experiencing. What kind of a body
blow is that to pussif of rugby players and fans
(01:08):
here in Auckland City.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Well, this is huge as we saw the momentum or move,
but I should say that was carried this year through
talans awesome coaching group and then obviously led by Ardian
and the crew. The way the people that had really
attached and kind of followed the group this year had
come a long way. You know, it'd come a long
way from from the early beginnings to to where it is.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And I suppose the team this year.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Really visions what everyone was wanting as pasifica, people wanting
to follow as such.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
So it will be a huge glow for not only
like the.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Team South, but also for pathways for young buzzifaker kids
coming through and grassroots. As we know, the percentage is
a huge amongst all grades and all levels in rugby,
whether it's grassroots up to the top and super rugby
for players to have this opportunity, but it is, it
is really it's definitely a tough time at the moment
(02:09):
to really see them going through this knowing that, especially
the success this year.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You look at the blow as well to tongue and
rugby to someone on rugby and how that affects them
because basically, as you see it, there's a pathway helps
channel the best talent. I know that the All Blacks
are allowed to capital them and the team and maybe
a few of them might get penched and neck to
go somewhere else. That's so be it. But when you
look at the islands and what they have gained out
of this so far, this is again this is a
(02:36):
poke in the eye, isn't it?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Oh for sure, Look look at young Miracle Felung, you right,
the boy that was based in someone who has come
through and now is a unbelievable form this year. And
what a great story of that is for guys like
himself and his many more back in the islands that
should not go through. Then you know, pathways for those
guys and back of the islands, like you mentioned, does disappear,
(03:00):
and there is like you know, we're trying to grow
not the participation but around the competitive US around our
Pacific Island nations and these competitions. But if we haven't
got the super rugby team to really have these kids
playing at a top level competitively, we can weak out.
Then it is a huge blow for for the island
(03:20):
ages of of the Pacific.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So you know, look, it's it's it's definitely.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
You know hidden fear people hard and I know that
you know, some of the young players coming up who
really enjoyed this year and and what was presented I
suppose throughout the competition is you know, some people are
feeling I've tried, and then waiting for what the actual
movements are going forward.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It was a slow burned fan wise, and I think
most of us were quite shocked. I'm sure you were too,
Peter Alatini when suddenly they started filling up North Harbor
Stadium for Moana Pasifka. I mean, no one predicted that,
but slowly but surely people brought it. People climbed on
board and suddenly that means you mentioned before there was
(04:07):
a movement, there was momentum in that to stop that now.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Out It's look, I was there, like i've I've been
in and out of the group, just going to support
and to see it from what it was last year.
I remember going to the game and Mount Smart there
was more people in the Bloomin hospitality area and then
there was outside watching it go me stadium, but to
see it and then and funny enough to go all
(04:33):
the way to North Harbor to get that movement, but
everyone had brought in and I really do you know,
you know the fact that the coaching group that they
had this year, Orlando joining in was already with Tom
Commentary and Tana Polias, and that they really did, really
capture I suppose what was required. And then you know,
(04:55):
everyone knows the Arti effect that he had coming in,
but also how much of a level that he lifted
for everyone else that was in the camp. You know,
guys players like Pellegrini and all these kids that just
absolutely two potaire. There was a number eight. You know,
there was just so much I suppose, so many good things.
I suppose that there our Busfiker people were wanting to see,
(05:19):
specially in Super Rugby, and for most of them being
you know, for the team to have the record they
had and beating all the Super franchise by the chiefs
obvi see. But having those great ones created that momentum
and movement. And then you know, like you said, it
had to be at nor Shore Stadium, but even the
South Africans brought into it having those blind warnings.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
For the boys.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
So everything was going accordingly as such, and it would again,
like you mentioned, it would be a huge blow if
it disappears next year.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, if it does, like I don't know the financial details,
because by the looks of it, it's a little on
the murky side. There are people maybe in possessions that
they shouldn't, possibly being with conflicts of interest. I don't
know how that evolves. We do know that World Rugby
are taking some money away, Jersey sponsors have gone. How
(06:06):
far do you think ns are or anybody need to
climb into actually rescue this? Is it throwing money after
bad anyone? Is there a point in doing this? Is it?
Is it needed? Should the funding be there?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Yeah, looks it's a tough one.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
And you know, like.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
And that's always been the battle form wine up being
based here and in New Zealand and and you know, yes,
the players there's a lot of plays from here that
do go through. But it's a tough one for me
to answer in that space because I don't know whether
it is in z Rugby's responsibility. I feel there's you know,
with World Rugby because it is a good thing, you know,
(06:47):
like you know, where where do they stand and kind
of helping these this franchise out and and it's always
i think I've spoken about it in different shows, it's
it's really needed a huge contributor from outside of this
and and and that's it's always going to be the
problem in trying to create something within here and within
(07:08):
the Zealand as well, because it's limited as we know
ins it's limited and what you see around in the
products of rugby, you know, without the NPC and and
different revenues that are coming through. It is a struggle
here within our little country soul in terms of answer
to to really we're do need outside backer to really
come through and bank on this form one to continue
(07:31):
because as we've seen with the momentum and also you
know with a player such as as any I'm up
here coming.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
In like, the excitement is still still building.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
It to the yes, they've lost for thing, but I'm
pretty sure if they have a plan around that, and
so it'll be, it'll be it will be detrimental to
to the to the bus Ficker people not having this
team this year.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah, I think that none is going to be quite
something else to what we all remember what he is
capable of. Look I from what I can gather, Peter,
and thanks so much for joining us. If there is
a responsibility four or two Pacific Rugby, it's got to
be world rugby, New Zealand rugby. They're not rich, they
(08:13):
haven't got at all. I know they do well out
of PACIFICA players of course, but they come to New Zealand,
they get trained, they go through the system so they
can pack them. But maybe world rugby they've got a
look to how many PACIFICA players are playing over in
club competitions in Paris and France and England and Wales.
(08:33):
They're a source of enormous entertainment and some fantastically talented players.
They're good for the global.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Game, mate, absolutely, and it's always been a l plea
and it's you know, I think it's especially with this organization.
They've proven how far they've come. They've proven this year,
they've got the people in the council work that they
could go through.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
It will be something.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Really for world rugby to really bad on because, like
you said, these players all across the world, PUSSIFICA players
that are fulfilling into not only clubs with them, but
even in country in the Northern Hemisphere. So be it
will be a good kind of you know, to really
look at it from from a wood right be point
of view, to really bank on this team because I
feel like it's the start of summing that will just
(09:18):
grow and be and be stronger for our game global.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talks'd be.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Right, let's move on now to talk. It's not a
great story is that we've had a couple of pretty
horrid stories this week in the wonderful wide world of sport.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
This is all.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Around Moana Passifica and the dire financial straits they reportedly
have found themselves and so if it were to collapse,
well we'll see. I'm talk about that now with from
All Black and All Round GC. He's a huge advocate
of Pacific rugby. Peter Alertini, welcome to the program.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Good evening, Good aven he does or is the pleasure
my man?
Speaker 2 (00:45):
Great to be chatting again, but maybe not under the
best of circumstances, with the possibility that Moana Pussifica, after
causing up a big ruckus this year and what they've done,
might not be around next to you through the financial
difficulties that they are experiencing. What kind of a body
blow is that to pussif of rugby players and fans
(01:08):
here in Auckland City.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Well, this is huge as we saw the momentum or move,
but I should say that was carried this year through
talans awesome coaching group and then obviously led by Ardian
and the crew. The way the people that had really
attached and kind of followed the group this year had
come a long way. You know, it'd come a long
way from from the early beginnings to to where it is.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
And I suppose the team this year.
Speaker 4 (01:34):
Really visions what everyone was wanting as pasifica, people wanting
to follow as such.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
So it will be a huge glow for not only
like the.
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Team South, but also for pathways for young buzzifaker kids
coming through and grassroots. As we know, the percentage is
a huge amongst all grades and all levels in rugby,
whether it's grassroots up to the top and super rugby
for players to have this opportunity, but it is, it
is really it's definitely a tough time at the moment
(02:09):
to really see them going through this knowing that, especially
the success this year.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
You look at the blow as well to tongue and
rugby to someone on rugby and how that affects them
because basically, as you see it, there's a pathway helps
channel the best talent. I know that the All Blacks
are allowed to capital them and the team and maybe
a few of them might get penched and neck to
go somewhere else. That's so be it. But when you
look at the islands and what they have gained out
of this so far, this is again this is a
(02:36):
poke in the eye, isn't it?
Speaker 4 (02:38):
Oh for sure, Look look at young Miracle Felung, you right,
the boy that was based in someone who has come
through and now is a unbelievable form this year. And
what a great story of that is for guys like
himself and his many more back in the islands that
should not go through. Then you know, pathways for those
guys and back of the islands, like you mentioned, does disappear,
(03:00):
and there is like you know, we're trying to grow
not the participation but around the competitive US around our
Pacific Island nations and these competitions. But if we haven't
got the super rugby team to really have these kids
playing at a top level competitively, we can weak out.
Then it is a huge blow for for the island
(03:20):
ages of of the Pacific.
Speaker 3 (03:22):
So you know, look, it's it's it's definitely.
Speaker 4 (03:27):
You know hidden fear people hard and I know that
you know, some of the young players coming up who
really enjoyed this year and and what was presented I
suppose throughout the competition is you know, some people are
feeling I've tried, and then waiting for what the actual
movements are going forward.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
It was a slow burned fan wise, and I think
most of us were quite shocked. I'm sure you were too,
Peter Alatini when suddenly they started filling up North Harbor
Stadium for Moana Pasifka. I mean, no one predicted that,
but slowly but surely people brought it. People climbed on
board and suddenly that means you mentioned before there was
(04:07):
a movement, there was momentum in that to stop that now.
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Out It's look, I was there, like i've I've been
in and out of the group, just going to support
and to see it from what it was last year.
I remember going to the game and Mount Smart there
was more people in the Bloomin hospitality area and then
there was outside watching it go me stadium, but to
see it and then and funny enough to go all
(04:33):
the way to North Harbor to get that movement, but
everyone had brought in and I really do you know,
you know the fact that the coaching group that they
had this year, Orlando joining in was already with Tom
Commentary and Tana Polias, and that they really did, really
capture I suppose what was required. And then you know,
(04:55):
everyone knows the Arti effect that he had coming in,
but also how much of a level that he lifted
for everyone else that was in the camp. You know,
guys players like Pellegrini and all these kids that just
absolutely two potaire. There was a number eight. You know,
there was just so much I suppose, so many good things.
I suppose that there our Busfiker people were wanting to see,
(05:19):
specially in Super Rugby, and for most of them being
you know, for the team to have the record they
had and beating all the Super franchise by the chiefs
obvi see. But having those great ones created that momentum
and movement. And then you know, like you said, it
had to be at nor Shore Stadium, but even the
South Africans brought into it having those blind warnings.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
For the boys.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
So everything was going accordingly as such, and it would again,
like you mentioned, it would be a huge blow if
it disappears next year.
Speaker 2 (05:45):
Yeah, if it does, like I don't know the financial details,
because by the looks of it, it's a little on
the murky side. There are people maybe in possessions that
they shouldn't, possibly being with conflicts of interest. I don't
know how that evolves. We do know that World Rugby
are taking some money away, Jersey sponsors have gone. How
(06:06):
far do you think ns are or anybody need to
climb into actually rescue this? Is it throwing money after
bad anyone? Is there a point in doing this? Is it?
Is it needed? Should the funding be there?
Speaker 4 (06:22):
Yeah, looks it's a tough one.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
And you know, like.
Speaker 4 (06:26):
And that's always been the battle form wine up being
based here and in New Zealand and and you know, yes,
the players there's a lot of plays from here that
do go through. But it's a tough one for me
to answer in that space because I don't know whether
it is in z Rugby's responsibility. I feel there's you know,
with World Rugby because it is a good thing, you know,
(06:47):
like you know, where where do they stand and kind
of helping these this franchise out and and it's always
i think I've spoken about it in different shows, it's
it's really needed a huge contributor from outside of this
and and and that's it's always going to be the
problem in trying to create something within here and within
(07:08):
the Zealand as well, because it's limited as we know
ins it's limited and what you see around in the
products of rugby, you know, without the NPC and and
different revenues that are coming through. It is a struggle
here within our little country soul in terms of answer
to to really we're do need outside backer to really
come through and bank on this form one to continue
(07:31):
because as we've seen with the momentum and also you
know with a player such as as any I'm up
here coming.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
In like, the excitement is still still building.
Speaker 4 (07:39):
It to the yes, they've lost for thing, but I'm
pretty sure if they have a plan around that, and
so it'll be, it'll be it will be detrimental to
to the to the bus Ficker people not having this
team this year.
Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah, I think that none is going to be quite
something else to what we all remember what he is
capable of. Look I from what I can gather, Peter,
and thanks so much for joining us. If there is
a responsibility four or two Pacific Rugby, it's got to
be world rugby, New Zealand rugby. They're not rich, they
(08:13):
haven't got at all. I know they do well out
of PACIFICA players of course, but they come to New Zealand,
they get trained, they go through the system so they
can pack them. But maybe world rugby they've got a
look to how many PACIFICA players are playing over in
club competitions in Paris and France and England and Wales.
(08:33):
They're a source of enormous entertainment and some fantastically talented players.
They're good for the global.
Speaker 4 (08:41):
Game, mate, absolutely, and it's always been a l plea
and it's you know, I think it's especially with this organization.
They've proven how far they've come. They've proven this year,
they've got the people in the council work that they
could go through.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
It will be something.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
Really for world rugby to really bad on because, like
you said, these players all across the world, PUSSIFICA players
that are fulfilling into not only clubs with them, but
even in country in the Northern Hemisphere. So be it
will be a good kind of you know, to really
look at it from from a wood right be point
of view, to really bank on this team because I
feel like it's the start of summing that will just
(09:18):
grow and be and be stronger for our game global.
Speaker 1 (09:22):
For more from sports talk, listen live to news talks.
It'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio
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