Winston Peters says he would love to see Moana Pasifika carry on.
Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
Winston Peters says there’s “good news” to come in regards to Moana Pasifika’s future, but wouldn’t provide any further detail saying “you have to wait”.
Shareholders of Moana Pasifika have voted to appoint liquidators to the holding company of the Super Rugby team.
However, New Zealand Rugby says there continues to be parties interested in Moana Pasifika’s future.
Asked by RNZ at Parliament on Tuesday afternoon if the New Zealand First leader wanted to comment on the team, Peters said he did, “but you have to wait”.
“It’s good news later on.”
Asked if the government was intervening, Peters said no.
He referred to his deputy, Shane Jones, who added “there’s an appointed time when all will be revealed”.
Peters repeated he didn’t have an answer about the team “at the present time”.
But he said he would of course “love to see them carry on, because the reality is they’ve got a great future”.
He said they’d gone through difficult times, and just needed better management. He added the rugby union also needed better management.
Asked if Peters had had any conversations with Moana Pasifika’s management, he said “not their management, no”.
Asked who he had had conversations with, “I happen to know a lot of rugby players from way back when”.
RNZ understands there’s no immediate announcement expected from the government, but the minister is in conversations with people connected to the team about its future.
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