May 23rd 2018
BUSINESS
Mixing optimism with realism for Kiribati
NZ High Commissioner to Kiribati believes there are opportunities, and is adamant that all sectors, including business, can make a positive contribution to the future of Kiribati.
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May 18th 2018
BUSINESS
Business and friendship opportunities with Fiji
NZ High Commissioner to Fiji talks about his journey so far ahead of the Pacific Heads of Mission Breakfast which is on 25 May 2018 in Auckland hosted by the Pacific Corporation Foundation.
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May 17th 2018
BUSINESS
Finalists named for the 2018 National Pacific Business Trust Awards
Nominations were widely received however from the large amount of nominees the finalists have been narrowed down to a select few. The finalists are:
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May 2nd 2018
BUSINESS
Kiwa Nuanua Pacific Tech Summit and beyond
Pacific tech entrepreneurs, Research & Development scientists, engineers and emerging innovators were among the many who attended the Pacific Business Trust’s Kiwa Nuanua Pacific Tech Summit
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May 1st 2018
BUSINESS
Tickets on sale for the 2018 National Pacific Business Trust Awards
For the 11th time in PBT’s history the trust will be holding its National Pacific Business Trust Awards on Friday 22 June 2018 at Eden Park in Auckland. Tickets are on sale.
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April 24th 2018
BUSINESS
Pacific Heads of Mission Breakfast
The Pacific Cooperation Foundation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) are once again facilitating the Pacific Heads of Mission Breakfast on Friday 25 May 2018 in Central Auckland
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April 18th 2018
BUSINESS
Nesian Style
The Polynesian Clothing Concept that aims to encourage young Polynesians across the Pacific to wear contemporary-styled clothing inspired by the ancient traditions of Polynesia.
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March 21st 2018
BUSINESS
Loyalty for Tuifua
Tuifua Pofele says that in a modern era where you often walk into a bank and cue up not knowing anyone, it’s nice to be able to walk into the NZCU Employees Penrose branch and be known as an individual.
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March 19th 2018
BUSINESS
PTI NZ brings Melanesia on Path to Pasifika Business Market
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will be part of this year’s new Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) NZ Pasifika Business Market at Auckland’s Pasifika Festival.
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March 6th 2018
BUSINESS
To be recognised by her Pacific business peers
As co-owner of LOT EIGHT, the Fijian-born businesswoman describes the emotion she felt taking the stage in front of her Pacific business peers, as a ‘feeling of homecoming’. Nalini reflects on the positive effect winning a PBT Award has had not just for LOT EIGHT but for herself as a Pacific woman in business.
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January 15th 2018
BUSINESS
A Family of Savers
All five of Vaine’s children have had their own NZCU Employees accounts since birth, which comes in handy at Christmas and when it’s time for them to go back to school.
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December 19th 2017
BUSINESS
The Way to SimplyFi
The Busby family are developing an innovative cataloguing application called SimplyFi, the app will streamline the lending and borrowing process between institutions and the global culture and heritage sector, aiding the collection and dissemination of possible hidden stories.
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December 18th 2017
BUSINESS
Innovative programme launched to help young Pacific entrepreneurs Hatch
The Hatch Youth Programme officially launched on Friday 15 December at Lei Café, Ponsonby. Developed and delivered by PBT in partnership with Massey University, Hatch provides a combination of flexible tertiary education with real-world experience.
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December 12th 2017
BUSINESS
$5000 Saved for Christmas
Family man James Mohetuki says the NZCU Employees’ Christmas Club account has been amazing. It’s not only helped him create good saving habits, but has also been there in times of dire need.
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December 8th 2017
BUSINESS
Six young Pacific business teams to Hatch
The Pacific Business Trust launched Hatch and announced the six teams chosen to participate, they will meet for the first time at the official launch on Friday 15 December at a special event at Lei Cafe in Ponsonby
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November 28th 2017
BUSINESS
Creating sustainable businesses through validation
The Pacific Business Trust is taking a validation roadshow to universities and polytechnics, to encourage more young Pacific minds to look at starting their own business.
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November 22nd 2017
BUSINESS
Inaugural Pasifika Startup Weekend a success
The first Startup Weekend with a Pacific focus in Wellington was filled with big business ideas, hard work, collaboration and a whole lot of Pacific spirit.
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September 20th 2017
BUSINESS
Pacific coffee and chocolate on show in Auckland this week
Coffee and chocolate products from five Pacific Island countries will be showcased at the fourth Chocolate & Coffee Show on Auckland’s waterfront this weeken September 23-24. The show features all things related to chocolate and coffee.
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September 15th 2017
BUSINESS
Hatching Pacific Youth Entrepreneurs
The Hatch Youth Programme for Pacific youth with entrepreneurial aspirations launched today. The partnership between the Pacific Business Trust and Massey University aims to provide a combination of flexible tertiary education with real-world experience for youth aged 16-26.
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September 7th 2017
BUSINESS
Pacific homeowner refinances mortgage
Part of the small percentage of Pacific people that own or are very close to owning their own home, Simon Laumatia is three quarters of the way towards owning his Otahuhu home which he first bought in 1998.
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September 4th 2017
BUSINESS
TideTalking from Mahuki
CEO Lillian Arp and Koni Rairoa are building TideTalk, a language preservation tool for Pacific Immigrants who want to preserve their culture. Hear about their experience at Mahuki the Innovation Hub of Tepapa with the help of the Pacific Business Trust.
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August 1st 2017
BUSINESS
Pacific teams join Te Papa innovation hub
Three Pacific entrepreneurial teams started a four-month residency at Te Papa’s Mahuki innovation accelerator at the end of July, after taking part in a successful Pacific Innovation Workshop held in May by Mahuki Te Papa and the Pacific Business Trust.
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July 31st 2017
BUSINESS
The next director on the NZCU Employees board could be you
NZCU Employees is currently taking nominations for their Board of Directors. The board is looking for someone with a cultural understanding of their member base and the financial needs of their members who are primarily Pacific.
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July 28th 2017
BUSINESS
Meraki: Connecting with Culture
Four St Marys College Year 13 students run cultural workshops through social enterprise Meraki. It’s a solution to the cultural disconnect experienced by many second and third generation Pacific students in New Zealand.
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July 25th 2017
BUSINESS
Pacific flavours to tickle palates at Auckland Food Show
Nine Pacific Island food and beverage companies from five countries will showcase and sell their goods of packaged foods and drinks at the Auckland Food Show this week.
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July 6th 2017
Business
PBT helping make money matter to kids
To help combat the lack of financial literacy skills among the Pacific community Brittany Teei and her mother Teri (Tereapii) launched Kids Coin, an online tool that empowers students from years 3-10 to teach themselves about money.
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June 7th 2017
Business
Pasifika businesses forging new digital frontiers
A three-day pre-accelerator workshop held at Te Papa’s innovation hub Mahuki in May saw five selected teams experience design, technology, mobile, security, data collection management, social media authentication, language protection and technology.
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May 9th 2017
Business
A Language of Discovery
A desire to learn her native Cook Islands language is driving Koni Rairoa and her friend Lillian Arp to partner to create a language preservation app. With the support of the Pacific Business Trust, they feature in the Pasifika and Tech – Building Creative Futures event part of tech-week running May 8-12
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May 9th 2017
Business
Ticking all the right boxes
From numerous jobs involving packaging, Samoan Josephine Hale has designed and made a cardboard box that is re-useable, simple to use and perfect for supermarket owners who want to avoid staff injuries when cutting boxes in the rush to get products on the shelves.
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March 29th 2017
Business
Path to Market delegations a hit at Pasifika
Pacific Islands Trade & Invest’s (PT&I’s) delegation of 25 small Pacific Island businesses was a hit at Auckland’s Pasifika Festival in March. It was the largest delegation yet to attend, and showcase their products at, the two-day festival under the PT&I Pacific Path to Market programme.
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March 8th 2017
Business
Pasifika Path to Market showcasing authentic Pacific products
Twenty-eight companies from across the Pacific will showcase everything from kava to ukuleles and taro cookies to the exotic Bilum of Papua New Guinea at Pasifika Festival 2017.
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February 17th 2017
Business
Cruising for a Living
Mark Donaldson, winner of the Exporter category at the 2016 National Pacific Business Trust Awards, was destined for a life at sea. As co-founder and Director of Marinelogix he’s living the dream.
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February 1st 2017
Business
Vaka provides young Pacific a new pathway
Four young Pacific and Maori entrepreneurs are teaming up to grow a globally competitive high-tech business made in New Zealand that is also proudly Pacific.
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December 21st 2016
Business
PBT supports exciting tech initiative
The Pacific Business Trust is making a commitment to support Pacific and Maori entrepreneurs in the creative, cultural and tech sectors, following the Mahuki showcase hosted at Te Papa in Wellington on Monday December 5, 2016.
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November 10th 2016
Business
NZCU Employees newest staff member Ana aims to help members
Ana Vaiangina is quickly learning the ropes in her role at NZCU Employees. The New Zealand-born Tongan says she’s ready to help as many Pacific people looking to make wise decisions when it comes to their money as possible.
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November 1st 2016
Business
Pacific Business Trust 10th National Awards Winners
The 10th National Pacific Business Trust Awards were celebrated at The Langham Hotel in Auckland on Friday 28th October 2016 with more than 450 guests in attendance.
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October 28th 2016
Business
Workshop helping Tongan businesses interested in NZ market
Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I) is helping Tongan exporters learn more about entering the New Zealand market through a Path to Market workshop in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
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October 14th 2016
Business
2016 National Pacific Business Trust Awards finalists named
Finalists for the 2016 National Pacific Business Trust Awards have been named, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday 28 October 2016 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland.
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September 23rd 2016
Business
Tickets on sale for 10th National Pacific Business Trust Awards
The National Pacific Business Trust Awards will be staged on Friday, 28 October 2016 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland and tickets are on sale. The evening will include live entertainment, sumptuous food and beverages and a black tie awards ceremony.
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September 27th 2016
Pacific Business Trust appoints new CEO
The Pacific Business Trust (PBT) have announced the appointment of Kim Tuaine, of Cook Islands descent, as its Chief Executive Officer.
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September 9th 2016
How to reduce your debt and start saving
Life can be expensive, and when the bills are piling up, and debt is growing, it’s sometimes hard to see a way out of your debt. NZCU Employees is a Credit Union based in Penrose, and most of their members are Pacific families. The credit union is helping families to break the cycle of debt and improve their finances for healthier and happier futures. Find out how
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August 25th 2016
Oxfam NZ supports ‘no decision’ calls on PACER PLUS
In a statement released August 23 Oxfam NZ support calls for ‘no decision’ on the PACER Plus regional free trade agreement between Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand, as Pacific people are most likely to lose out in the deal.
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August 25th 2016
Recognising and celebrating Pacific Businesses Successes
The Pacific Business Trust (PBT) brings back the National Pacific Business Trust Awards on Friday 28 October. Nominations are currently open and close 31 August. The awards are for Pacific-owned businesses, Pacific business individuals, Pacific executives working in mainstream organisations and employers of Pacific staff.
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August 24th 2016
NZCU Employees’ Business Development and Lending Manager: caring for members
With more than two decades of experience working in the financial sector in both New Zealand and Samoa, Lele Faifai is motivated to help Pacific people learn to use their hard-earned money wisely.
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July 18th 2016
Pacific business leaders engage with NZ Treasury
Robust engagement was at the fore when Pacific business and community leaders met with the team from Treasury NZ in Auckland.
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July 12th 2016
Pacific Business Trust to hold historical event with NZ Treasury
The NZ Treasury, with the support of the Pacific Business Trust, is holding an historical meeting to set a platform for more collaboration and engagement with the Pacific community.
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July 7th 2016
Business Time for Pacific Pioneer
Newly-appointed Pacific Business Trust chair Fa’amatuainu (Inu) Tino Pereira knows all about the peaks and pitfalls of two decades in business. In SPASIFIK Issue 67, he shares his story with INNES LOGAN and his desire and support for Pacific people rising to the challenge in an increasingly entrepreneurial environment.
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July 4th 2016
Nominations open for 10th National Pacific Business Trust Awards
The National Pacific Business Trust Awards return on Friday, 28 October 2016, and nominations close 31 August 2016. Run by the Pacific Business Trust (PBT), the awards have been staged nine times since 1993.
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June 27th 2016
PBT supports businesses showcasing their products
The Pacific Business Trust (PBT) has teamed up with the Ministry of Pacific Peoples, Westpac and Crowe Horwarth to identify and showcase Pacific and Maori catering and hospitality businesses in front of mainstream procurement organisations.
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June 27th 2016
New partnership promotes Pacific products at Fine Foods NZ expo
The winter solstice could be a great start for a rising new partnership at this year’s Fine Food New Zealand Trade Show.
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May 10th 2016
Director of Statistics commencement announcement
The Pacific Community (SPC) Director General, Colin Tukuitonga has announced that Dr ‘Ofa Ketu’u has been appointed as the Director, Statistics for Development Division, at the Pacific Community (SPC). Her appointment will take effect on 1 July 2016.
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May 2nd 2016
Murphy Su’a appointed Acting CEO of Pacific Business Trust
The Board of Trustees of the Pacific Business Trust (PBT) have announced the appointment of Murphy Su’a as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, for the next three months while it commences recruitment for a permanent replacement.
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April 22nd 2016
More women in Tonga should participate in politics, says New Zealand MP
NZ MP Jenny Salesa, who hopes to inspire more Tongan women to participate in politics ahead of Tonga’s local body elections in June, says one of the main obstacles is women themselves.
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April 20th 2016
Pacific youth award winner meets Helen Clark in New York
UNDP Administrator Helen Clark met with Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards Leadership and Inspiration winner in New York.
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February 3rd 2016
SPASIFIK issue 66
The Pacific’s finest
The Pacific is home to an extensive assortment of export grade produce, yet convenience and basic supply and demand principles have hindered us from accessing some of the Pacific’s finest on a large scale. Tatau’s Aaron Freeman makes a case for buying ‘Pacific made’ products and puts the power in the hands of the consumer.
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November 11th 2015
Big Opportunities for Small Island States
Pacific Islands Trade & Invest are hosting a Small Islands States Food & Beverage Exploratory Mission in Auckland this week.
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November 3rd 2015
Pacific Island food and beverage exporters on a mission to promote boutique products
Small Pacific Island exporters face an uphill battle when competing against market giants such as China, USA, UK, Australia and even New Zealand.
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