Pacific Business Awards winners revealed

Pacific Business Awards winners revealed

Pasifika individuals in the running to be named Pacific Business Trust top businesses and entrepreneurs have been revealed.

The winners in the annual Pacific Business Trust Awards have been named Friday evening, including Pasifika Futures chief executive Debbie Sorensen who took out the Business Executive Award title against Tevita Funaki, The Fono, Taulalo Fiso, Intueri Education Group and Angus Malietoa of Kyocera Document Solutions.

Mrs Sorensen says she was excited to be an award winner and to be there amongst Pacific business savvy individuals.

“I was in a pool with absolutely incredible individuals with exceptional business and entrepreneurial skills with track record of successful leadership and innovation.”

“It was truly wonderful to be recognised and I am privileged to be part of the awards and our work will continue to serve and inspire the Pacific families in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.”
She said there was a real mix of businesses in the finalists list.

“It is really good to see. There were some young emerging business leaders and those who have been in the business sector for years.”

“It was a great event and I congratulate the Pacific Business Trust for rekindling this event as a culture of connectedness and to network with business minded individuals from all over New Zealand.”
“Many of the finalists had achieved exceptional results in their work and business recognition - which is positive for the Pacific community in New Zealand,” says Mrs Sorensen.

Other winners include two of Whānau Ora partners, Cook Island Development Agency New Zealand (CIDANZ) who took out the Pacific Social Enterprise Award and The Fono who won the Pacific Business Employer Award.

The Awards aim to encourage Pacific business excellence in New Zealand, and brings recognition in the local and regional business communities.

“This is a great honour and I accept it on behalf of those who have worked with me over the years who really do the hard yards. It's an acknowledgment to them,” says Mrs Sorensen.

These awards are vital to our Pacific community and it is important to celebrate the success of the brilliant Pacific minds in the business industry.

The awards was held on Friday, 28 October 2016 at the Langham Hotel in Auckland, also marks more than 30 years since the establishment of the Pacific Business Trust.

The 2016 Pacific Business Trust Awards winners are:
Pacific Innovation Award – Corefusion
Pacific Social Enterprise Award – Cook Island Development Agency NZ
Pacific Business Employer Award – The Fono
Pacific Business Exporter Award – Marinelogix
Pacific Business Enterprise Award – Connect Global
Pacific Business Entrepreneur Award – Stan Wolfgramm, Drum Productions
Pacific Woman in Business Award – Nalini Baruch, Lot Eight
Pacific Business Executive Award – Debbie Sorensen, Pasifika Futures Ltd & Pasifika Medical Association
Supreme Award – Global Connect

ENDS.

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