Whānau Ora funding under review; PMA denies misuse over Moana Pasifika

Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has launched an independent review into allegations of the inappropriate use of public funds by two Whānau Ora commissioning agencies: Te Pou Matakana Limited (also known as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency) and Pasifika Futures Limited.

The probe will examine whether these agencies met their contractual obligations while managing public funding, following recent concerns over election-related advertising and funding links to the Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika.

The review comes after Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka sought urgent advice over a promotional campaign urging Māori to join the Māori electoral roll—an ad paid for by Te Pou Matakana—and revelations that Moana Pasifika had received $770,000 annually through a Whānau Ora contract with the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA).

TPK Chief Executive Dave Samuels confirmed that both agencies had been contacted for explanations and stressed the importance of safeguarding taxpayer money. New Whānau Ora commissioning contracts will begin on 1 July with four new agencies replacing the current two.

In response, the PMA strongly rejected any claims of fund misuse.

Group chair Kiki Maoate said no public money had been used to support the professional rugby arm of Moana Pasifika. While a small grant in 2021 helped develop a business case for the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust, Maoate clarified that any subsequent public funding was directed solely toward the team’s community sports programme.

PMA reiterated that Moana Pasifika’s inclusion in their group was based on aligned values and a mission to foster Pacific community wellbeing, not to fund professional sport.