NZ Rugby has endorsed a future Super Rugby competition featuring the five Aotearoa franchises, as well as entries from Australia and the Pacific Islands.
But the board has not specified how many teams would comprise the new format, aiming for 8-10.
Details of the 'Aratipu' report - and a proposed Super Rugby model without teams from South Africa and Argentina - were revealed by Newshub last week.
"Coming on the back of Covid-19 and its impact on future competitions, the NZR board has committed to establishing a new professional team competition in 2021," says chief executive Mark Robinson. "We have also been heartened by the success of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa."
The presence of the five local sides seems certain, while the Pacific team has also been widely favoured as a means of keeping top Samoan, Tongan and Fijian players from European contracts that limit their international availability.
"There is a huge desire to have a Pasifika team involved, which we think will be massive for the competition, popular with fans and is a priority for us," says Robinson. "As we know, our Pacific nations and Pasifika players in New Zealand have added so much to the rich history of rugby in Oceania and our game here in New Zealand.
"To have a team that would provide an additional pathway for Pasifika players to perform on the world stage would be hugely exciting."
The big imponderable - signalled earlier this week - will be how many Australian teams are invited to join. Reports from Sydney - denied by Robinson - suggested some NZR board members favoured an eight-team format, leaving room for only two from across the ditch.
Other board members reportedly preferred 10 teams, with four Aussie entries. Friday's announcement seems to suggest that division does exist.
"We will also be working with Rugby Australia to seek expressions of interest from their current 'Super' clubs and other interested parties to join the competition, and that work will begin in earnest," says Robinson.
"We are excited and interested to see what our Australian neighbours will bring to this competition."
Rugby Australia is unlikely to accept a version catering for only two Aussie teams and has immediately responded to NZ Rugby's declaration on Friday afternoon.
"Rugby Australia acknowledges NZ Rugby’s preferred position following their announcement today regarding a potential future provincial competition from 2021 and looks forward to working constructively with NZ Rugby in the coming weeks.
"Rugby Australia will also continue its discussions with stakeholders in Australia and is in constant consultation with our valued SANZAAR joint venture partners.
"Due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rugby Australia recognises that there is a need to review the sustainability and practicality of the current Super Rugby competition, and consider alternative models that are in the best interests of Australian Rugby from 2021 and beyond."
Robinson confirms an expression-of-interest process will begin next week, with the development of entry criteria, and hopefully conclude by September.
"We want teams that are competitive and that fans will want to watch go head to head, week in, week out."
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Hurricanes v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa clash
