Transcript
Pacific and Maori people now make up nearly a third of Waikato's population and the new group is hoping to improve collaboration, networking and support for their businesses.
The Minister for Pacific People's Aupito Su'a William Sio launched the network at a ceremony this week.
"I can also see them becoming a vital thread adding colour and vibrancy to the new Aotearoa New Zealand and I believe the WPBN will play a role."
Founder and chair Meleane Burgess, who is an accountant by profession, says the group grew out of the Samoan business network which, with only a handful of businesses, often felt overlooked.
The group rebranded to open up more opportunities
"We started back in 2012 with like three. Now we have almost 60 and with the growth in the Waikato we are predicting that we will probably hit about 100 in the next year or so, Pacific owned businesses."
The network involves a variety of businesses, but they're mostly sole traders.
Ms Burgess says there is much potential to collaborate with other local businesses as well as those outside the region.
"Those that are in service industries, to human resources, to those who are in construction, contractors, even professionals. Even small ones who sell their stuff in the market. Lawnmowing. "
Samoan Teuila Maggof of Big River Catering, who's joined the network (I'm guessing), puts success down to hard work, sacrifice and determination to overcome endless hurdles and challenges.
She says it's also important to stay true to who you are, just as people are back in the island villages where no one goes it alone.
"Earlier I said I attribute a lot to who I am to my culture and to family and attribute much to this story from my grandmother. In Samoa, a young Samoan woman bringing up five children was fishing to provide for her family. She was a better fisherman than the other men in the village I'd been told, and she really showed them how to do it. Our Polynesian women are strong already - we are strong in faith, our family is our priority and from this and the love of others we have strength like none other. That is our heritage, use it."
Engineer Tejinder Singh of Hamilton-based Advance Boiler Services was keen to form useful connections.
The company has worked in Samoa, Vanuatu, PNG and Fiji.
"They don't have too much money and the laws are not too strict. Like in New Zealand you have to service your boiler every year as per law. But say in Fiji over there they tend to ignore it."
The Mayor of Hamilton Andrew King says Pacific people have come a long way and their contribution is growing.
"Look the Pacific community have traditionally been a working class but what I am seeing is as the generations come through they are moving up and up"
Ms Burgess says with a little help from above, she's super excited about the network's future potential and growth.
"May god bless you all as we will continue to all be a part of this Pasifika community striving for more improved wellbeing life altogether."
Over 100 people attended the event at the Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton.
