Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika? 

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals. 

Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen. 

He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well.  

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Is there a lifeline for Moana Pasifika?&nbsp;
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has hinted at “good news” for the embattled club, and is reportedly instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to look into proposals.&nbsp;
Rugby Players Association CEO Rob Nichol told Mike Hosking that from a player’s perspective, the team hasn’t been set up for success, but they remain optimistic it can happen.&nbsp;
He says there’s two to three key areas that need to be nailed for Moana Pasifika to be successful – it needs to be true to purpose, there needs to be a sense that it is owned by Pacific people, for Pacific people, and it has unique opportunities for commercialisation that need to be utilised well. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

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The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Rob Nichol: Rugby Players Association CEO on the potential lifeline for Moana Pasifika

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa173001-5177-4c60-ab76-b4570157d86a/transcript

I hope if you read it or caught it over the weekend you enjoyed  the coverage of Newstalk ZB's 100th birthday.

I can tell you for nothing it is an honour and a joy to be a small part of what has become this country's greatest radio success story.

Although it has taken various iterations over the years, from a fledgling operation limited in hours by the Government through to the publicly listed operation it is today, there are very, very few companies in this country that have stood the test of time and been as successful as we have for that whole period.

One of the ironies of the success is that many companies that haven't made it got overtaken in some way by progress; technology, AI, change of customer habits, and yet radio despite having been written off so many times, has not just survived but boomed.

The radio industry in general in this country is in remarkable health. Yes there have been changes and re-shapings, expansions and retreats, start-ups and close-downs. But the industry has broadly consolidated into what it is today; profitable and used in some way by the vast, vast majority of New Zealanders each and every day.

And at the top of the pile is us.

As far as I know it remains an industry that has more stations per head of population than anywhere on Earth.

We de-regulated the industry and for a while you could buy a frequency for about three cents and start your own station. Many did because why wouldn’t you? Have a crack.

However talk radio is expensive and that’s why, comparatively, not as many had a go and as history shows us those who did venture into the area ran into trouble.

Part of the issue was Newstalk ZB. ZB has been so good for so long the truism is that to make a mark you have to find a weakness. They couldn't find one, or at least not a big enough one.

Critics often argue the ZB audience is rusted on. That is to insult the audience and show an ignorance for quality.

Part of ZB's success is never taking the audience for granted and you do that by forever looking to improve, never resting and always pushing a little harder.

The audience isn't rusted. It just hasn’t had a good enough reason to dabble elsewhere.

Longevity is the other trick. Well, longevity and consistency. The Newstalk ZB breakfast show has had two hosts in 40 years. No one comes close to matching that.

It has produced some of the greatest names the industry has ever known. It's covered the news and told our stories.

It's reflected this country and its journey better than anything and anyone.

The good news is I honestly feel not only are these its best days so far, but there are, at 100, more and better ones to come.

LISTEN ABOVE

I hope if you read it or caught it over the weekend you enjoyed &nbsp;the coverage of Newstalk ZB's 100th birthday.
I can tell you for nothing it is an honour and a joy to be a small part of what has become this country's greatest radio success story.
Although it has taken various iterations over the years, from a fledgling operation limited in hours by the Government through to the publicly listed operation it is today, there are very, very few companies in this country that have stood the test of time and been as successful as we have for that whole period.
One of the ironies of the success is that many companies that haven't made it got overtaken in some way by progress; technology, AI, change of customer habits, and yet radio despite having been written off so many times, has not just survived but boomed.
The radio industry in general in this country is in remarkable health. Yes there have been changes and re-shapings, expansions and retreats, start-ups and close-downs. But the industry has broadly consolidated into what it is today; profitable and used in some way by the vast, vast majority of New Zealanders each and every day.
And at the top of the pile is us.
As far as I know it remains an industry that has more stations per head of population than anywhere on Earth.
We de-regulated the industry and for a while you could buy a frequency for about three cents and start your own station. Many did because why wouldn’t you? Have a crack.
However talk radio is expensive and that’s why, comparatively, not as many had a go and as history shows us those who did venture into the area ran into trouble.
Part of the issue was Newstalk ZB. ZB has been so good for so long the truism is that to make a mark you have to find a weakness. They couldn't find one, or at least not a big enough one.
Critics often argue the ZB audience is rusted on. That is to insult the audience and show an ignorance for quality.
Part of ZB's success is never taking the audience for granted and you do that by forever looking to improve, never resting and always pushing a little harder.
The audience isn't rusted. It just hasn’t had a good enough reason to dabble elsewhere.
Longevity is the other trick. Well, longevity and consistency. The Newstalk ZB breakfast show has had two hosts in 40 years. No one comes close to matching that.
It has produced some of the greatest names the industry has ever known. It's covered the news and told our stories.
It's reflected this country and its journey better than anything and anyone.
The good news is I honestly feel not only are these its best days so far, but there are, at 100, more and better ones to come.
LISTEN ABOVE

Mike's Minute: The Legacy of Newstalk ZB

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ee310c26-b940-4fcb-8b47-b4a101616304/transcript

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 10th of August, Steven Joyce answers questions about whether National has credibility issues calling for Budget responsibility while increasing spending.

The Prime Minister talks what new taxes they might be looking at and council amalgamation and what councils are holding out.

Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss the Warriors, David Nyika's win and how long Canterbury will now hold the Ranfurly Shield for.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Monday the 10th of August, Steven Joyce answers questions about whether National has credibility issues calling for Budget responsibility while increasing spending.
The Prime Minister talks what new taxes they might be looking at and council amalgamation and what councils are holding out.
Jason Pine and Andrew Saville discuss the Warriors, David Nyika's win and how long Canterbury will now hold the Ranfurly Shield for.
Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 10 August 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/47cce2b7-767f-48d5-bb93-b4a1015d7228/transcript

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the weekend's sport. 

On the table today: The Warriors have pulled off a dominant display over the Panthers, beating them 28 - 12.

Canterbury have stolen the Ranfurly Shield from Otago.

And the NBL saw some thrilling games over the weekend. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

Andrew Saville and Jason Pine join Mike Hosking to review the weekend's sport.&nbsp;
On the table today: The Warriors have pulled off a dominant display over the Panthers, beating them 28 - 12.
Canterbury have stolen the Ranfurly Shield from Otago.
And the NBL saw some thrilling games over the weekend.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Commentary Box: Andrew Saville and Jason Pine on Warriors, Ranfurly Shield, NBL

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f8ad9e28-6331-42b0-a79b-b4a1015b6e36/transcript

Rob Nichol: Rugby Players Association CEO on the potential lifeline for Moana Pasifika

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