Tama Potaka: Māori Development Minister on if Whānau Ora funding was used for Moana Pasifika

Concerns are being raised around the use of taxpayer money to fund Moana Pasifika.  Our newsroom's revealed the Super Rugby franchise received some $8 million in taxpayer loans, grants, and funding.  The Pasifika Medical Association —which took over ownership of the team last year— has received funding from Whānau Ora contracts.  Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka told Mike Hosking there's some uncertainty about how that Whānau Ora money was spent.  He wants to know it's being used for proper purpose and has asked for an explanation ASAP.  LISTEN ABOVE  Note: This story has been updated to clarify that Whanau Ora funds flowed to the Moana Pasifika Charitable Trust, and the current owner of the Trust and the team, Pasifika Medical Association, has emphasised that no Whānau Ora funds have been used to fund the Moana Pasifika professional rugby team. The Herald has removed from the story the contention that Whānau Ora funds were directly used for the professional team in the fiscal years 22/23 and 23/24.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.