Growth of Pacific Island businesses a sign of the Future
Hon Georgina te Heuheu
Minister
of Pacific Island Affairs
STRICTLY EMBARGOED
UNTIL 10.30PM, Friday, 19 Nov
2010
Media
Statement
Growth of successful Pacific
Island businesses a sign of the future
economy
The growing number of successful Pacific
Island businesses was a sign of the future make up of the
New Zealand economy, Pacific Island Affairs Minister
Georgina te Heuheu said at the 25th anniversary of the
Pacific Business Trust in Manukau
tonight.
“The entrepreneurial spirit is burning brightly among Pacific Island peoples and I am delighted to help recognise and celebrate their success tonight.
“New Zealanders everywhere
will be impressed and encouraged by the success of Pacific
entrepreneurs and business owners who are providing much
needed jobs and prosperity to families and communities
across the country.”
Mrs te Heuheu
presented one of eight awards announced at the 2010 Manukau
Institute of Technology Pacific Business Awards, which
included:
• Pacific
Employer/Workplace – Cardinal Logistics
• Emerging
Business Enterprise – Panorama Access and Hire Sales
Ltd
• Young Pacific Entrepreneur – Matt Walker, CEO
of Jobs.co.nz
• Pacific Exporter – Mena
International Ltd
• Pacific Executive – Lorna
Kumitau, Pacific Integrated Healthcare Ltd
• Pacific
Business Woman – Jo Kerrison, Foxie Styles
• Pacific
Business Person – Vinod Kumar, Magsons
Hardware
• Pacific Business – Magsons Hardware
In addition, the inaugural “Pacific Navigators Achievement Award” was awarded to Stan Wolfgramm in recognition of his role as a Pacific ‘trail blazer’ who has paved the way for future generations.
“These entrepreneurs and business owners thoroughly deserve their awards and we must help encourage and develop more of them,” Mrs te Heuheu said.
“New Zealand needs our Pacific businesses to continue to grow and succeed and I’m confident this wonderful trend will continue, despite the slow recovery of the economy.”
The Pacific Business Trust was set up in 1985 to improve employment opportunities for Pacific people in New Zealand. Over time its focus has shifted to assisting Pacific communities with their business and entrepreneurial aspirations.
Today the Pacific Business Trust has become an established provider of economic development services for Pacific people. The Trust uses a variety of business programmes and measures to both improve training and employment opportunities for Pacific people, and to assist them with their business goals.
“This is an exciting time for Pacific people in New Zealand and I am proud to be part of it,” the Minister said.
More information is available on the Pacific Business Trust website at: www.pacificbusiness.co.nz.
ENDS