Pasifika businesses are in focus at new village
new vehicle and grow his team from three people to eight.
“It’s been a real blessing . . . it’s been really positive for growth. It has helped us diversify big time.”
Falamoe wanted more people to know about the new business village, which he said would open up a world of opportunity for other Pasifika businesses.
“The village has so much support that a lot of us didn’t have when we were younger.
“Knowing there is this support will help us grow with the economy the way other companies grow.”
Aifai Esera, director of Pacific Growth Services — the support network for Pasifika businesses in the Bay — said the aim of the village was the prosperity of the region’s 411 Pasifika businesses and its people.
“It is empowering our business owners to empower our people.”
Launching a business village initiative in the Bay was strategically part of the Golden Triangle — Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland.
“I think there is a lot of untapped potential in the Bay of Plenty for our people because of the opportunities for their businesses and their lifestyle.”
The Bay was home to the Port of Tauranga, as well as the kiwifruit and construction sectors.
“It means we will never be unemployed.”
Rotorua also had direct access to forestry employment, he said.
“The Bay of Plenty is the gateway for them into forestry.”
Mahe Pofele moved from Rotorua to Tauranga about a week ago.
The 31-year-old Tongan is studying at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology to become a qualified quantity surveyor. He is also working part-time as a junior quantity surveyor at a roofing company in Matamata.
“I thought I was going to end up in Auckland but the Bay seems to have everything going for it.
“Some of the biggest and widely known quantity surveying firms are based in Tauranga. It drew me here. The growth that’s happening here is immense.”
Pofele was seeking industry mentors of Pacific origin to help him relate to his new home and work when he found Pacific Growth.
He attended the village launch on April 29 with his moving bags still packed.
“I thought it was going to be a small meeting of Pasifika business owners and professionals.”
But there were hundreds of Pasifika ready to hear what the new business village had to offer.
“It gave me the inspiration to run my own business. It was very moving, it inspired me to want to do my own thing. I am the first person in my family to go to university. So it’s pretty big for me.”
After graduating,
Pofele said he wanted to become an industry mentor for aspiring quantity surveyors.
“I was adopted by my grandmother and because I was brought up by my grandma
I feel like . . . I have to do it for grandma.”
Eki Scott, 45, and his wife Darci moved to Tauranga from Auckland in 2020 to start their own architectural firm called Edison Architectural
I am excited to be supporting regional Pacific economic development projects. They are at the core of our rebuild of the economy. Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio
Design.
Scott said Pacific Islanders were under-represented in the architectural space but Pacific Growth helped to create a network of support for Pasifika businesses in the region.
“I have felt inspired in understanding the opportunities that are available to the business.
It’s exciting and inspiring.”
It had also increased business, he said. “There has been a whole lot more traffic and massive opportunities with big projects.
“Seeing the potential for our business to be massive is exciting and inspiring.”
He said he was excited about the future of his business.
“If this initiative was present when our families came from the islands all those years ago with their ideas and work ethic, I feel like our generation now would be in a different place as far as success goes.”
Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio launched the village in Tauranga on April 29.
“I am excited to be supporting regional Pacific economic development projects.
“They are at the core of our rebuild of the economy.”
A circular Pasifika economy using Pasifika business networks, business providers and businesses was at the centre of the village’s vision, Sio said.
“By collaborating with networks and providers, the village can provide better access for Pacific businesses and improve economic development across Aotearoa.”
“The village is complementary to existing services and meets unmet demand in the regions.”
Tauranga Business Chamber’s latest BA5 networking event was hosted by Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, where attendees enjoyed a wonderful selection of food and drinks and had the opportunity to connect.
The focus of the evening was the future of vocational and applied higher education and training. Chief Executive, Dr Leon Fourie spoke about the national reform of vocational education (ROVE) and how these changes will benefit learners, the community and business.
Toi Ohomai is one of the ITPS leading the charge in the sector’s transition into one new unified, national network, Te Pu¯ kenga.
Te Pu¯ kenga will bring together all 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics across Aotearoa into one network of on-the-job, on-campus and online learning.
Toi Ohomai and Wintec recently announced their early transition into Te
Pu¯ kenga, signalling the change readiness of the two institutes and the strengths of the collective teams.
The Toi Ohomai brand will remain in place until 31 March 2023, and the Institute has already begun cobranding with Te
Pu¯ kenga, meaning both logos will be seen alongside one another in most marketing material.