25 Nov 2009

Niue business mission seen as a success

2:45 pm on 25 November 2009

A trip to Niue by about 15 expatriate Niuean business people has been branded a success with signs of several developments to come.

The New Zealand Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs and the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission organised the Return to Roots Exploratory Business Mission last week.

Sponsored by Air New Zealand, the mission aimed to establish opportunities by adding value to existing businesses and utilising Niue's fishing, forestry, tourism, and agriculture resources.

The Ministry CEO, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, says there were a number of immediate successes.

"There is a gentleman who registered his company and is looking seriously at some motel units, accommodation units. One of the people on the trip runs a public accountants firm in Auckland and runs an outlet for Pacific Island produce. He's signed up some supply arrangements with one of the villages for taro and so on."

Dr Colin Tukuitonga.

Another possibility is a microbrewery and a health services operator is offering training opportunities for Niueans.