Local network recognises thriving Pasifika businesses in Wellington

After a successful inaugural Awards in 2016, this evening the Wellington Pasifika Business Network partnered up with NZ Māori Tourism to hold its 2ndWellington Pasifika in Business Awards.

“This evening signals an exciting step forward in our relationship with local iwi and Māori as we collectively support more Māori and Pacific people into business.” Says Network Board Chairman, Paul Retimanu.

“We not only celebrated the ambition, innovation and ideas of Pacific people in business, but we also recognised the sacrifices and risks they’ve made and taken. This evening was an opportunity to thank them for the contribution their making to our local economy.

“I’m really encouraged by both the calibre, quality and depth of our Pacific people in business.

“With the likes of Sonia Tiatia of Dine Academy (Winner, Pasifika Woman in Business Award), and Joey Fiu of Toki Services (Winner, Pasifika Rising Star Business of the Year Award), I’m absolutely confident that our future is in safe hands.” Says Retimanu.

Winner of the NZ Māori Tourism Supreme Award (Wellington Pasifika Business of the Year), was Circuit Systems Ltd. Owned and operated by Luke Meredith, Circuit Systems is at the pinnacle and forefront of security both in Wellington and across New Zealand.

An established business owner himself, Retimanu says that with the growing Māori and Pacific demographic, there has to be an expectation for us to own and harness our intellect and ideas, and to use this to our advantage.

The growth of the Pacific population in particular, is a defining feature of the twenty first century. With 1.6 per cent of the Pacific population being either self-employed or an employer, there is still a long way to go.

“Our Network has always been committed to being a part of the solution to increase both Māori and Pacific business ownership, this includes creating a space that fosters new thinking and one that supports growth and success.

“Moving forward, we want to be a part of collectively identifying emerging challenges, breeding opportunities and scaling Māori and Pacific businesses up, particularly in the Wellington region.” Says Paul Retimanu.
Winners:
• Pasifika Rising Star Business of the Year – Joey Fiu, Toki Services
• Pasifika Woman Business Owner of the Year – Arti Chand, Crengle Shreves & Ratner
• Most Innovative Pasifika Business of the Year – Taupou Tatau Ltd
• Pasifika Community Minded Business of the Year – Dine Academy, Sonia Tiatia
• Established Pasifika Business of the Year – Wellington Pipelines Ltd, James and Vanessa Fruean
• NZ Maori Tourism Supreme Award, Wellington Pasifika Business of the Year – Circuit Systems Ltd, Luke Meredith.
• Special Community Recognition Award – P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A Incorporated.

ENDS

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