• Celebrate Kiribati Language Week

• Founder of Siniva William Arts on 531PI

• Tongan business owner Karen Williams: Chiropractor's journey

• In case you missed it - Business Continuity series wrap-up

• Meet The Buyer event wrap up

• Pacific Business Trust celebrates 38 years

• Health and Safety Workshop in Christchurch

• Upcoming Workshops - Book Now

Celebrate Kiribati Language Week

Happy Kiribati Language Week!

Kiribati Language Week is being celebrated across Aotearoa, showcasing the unity and reverence for the Tungaru language and culture.  

Ensuring more young people are able to learn the Tungaru language and culture is a key priority of the language week and Pacific Business Trust is proud to support this initiative as part of our commitment to empowering Pacific business owners and entrepreneurs.

Our goal is to embrace the diverse languages and cultures of our Pacific community and to strengthen the connection between our services and the communities we serve, creating an inclusive environment where language is not a barrier. This means that our support and resources will be accessible and relevant to the cultural and language needs of our clients.

To learn more about Kiribati Language Week click here or follow us on Facebook to see what's on this week.  

Founder of Siniva William Arts on 531PI 

Watch full interview

Founder of Siniva Williams Arts,  Siniva Williams joined this week’s talanoa to share insights about her journey and how the PBT Hatch programme has made a difference for her business. 

Siniva is a multi-disciplinary artist of Maori, Tongan, and Samoan heritage, skilled in digital photography, painting, carving, and fashion design. Her artistic approach seamlessly blends traditional and digital painting techniques, borne out by her contemporary artwork.

Since starting her journey this year, Siniva has exhibited her art at the Corban Estate Arts Centre in Henderson and the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington.  

Thanks to the Hatch Pacific programme, Siniva gained insights into her customer base and the importance of knowing her target audience.

If you want to know more about her talent subscribe to her webstore which will be available soon.

Tongan business owner Karen Williams: Chiropractor's journey

Karen Williams is a proud Tongan business owner who runs Three Lamps Chiropractic, a health and wellness chiropractic centre.  

Her journey began when she took care of her grandmother, who suffered from chronic back pain.  

Frustrated by the limited help they received from local healthcare professionals, Karen was determined to find a solution. After persistent efforts, she connected with a healthcare professional who provided the necessary assistance for her grandmother's pain. 

Inspired by this experience, Karen delved deeper into chiropractic care, which focuses on overall well-being. Recognising the need for more awareness within the Pacific community, she dedicated herself to spreading knowledge and bridging the gap between traditional medicine and alternative therapies.  

Karen pursued her studies and expertise in chiropractic care and eventually opened Three Lamps Chiropractic in Ponsonby, New Zealand. 

Starting her business came with challenges, but Karen focused on building trust within her community and persevering through tough times.  

She understood the importance of adapting to the digital age and sought support from the Pacific Business Trust (PBT) to improve her online presence. With our assistance, Karen created a website, reaching more people and effectively promoting chiropractic care. 

Karen Williams is an inspiration to Pacific businesses and individuals, showcasing passion, determination, and the impact of the right support.   

Her commitment to her community and improving lives through chiropractic care is a testament with determination, a clear vision, and the right help, anyone can overcome obstacles and create a successful business while making a positive difference.   

Karen’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple. 

“Master and craft what you love, for running a business is no easy endeavor. It demands passion and energy so love what you do and with that love, conquer the challenges that come your way." 

In case you missed it - Business Continuity series wrap-up

Less than two weeks ago, we wrapped up the Business Continuity Planning series with a special finale at our Auckland office.

We want to thank everyone who registered and joined us throughout the series. During the event, we emphasised the importance of BCP and provided practical guidance on using the Action Plan template. We also recapped key concepts and offered support for completing personal BCP Action Plans. It was a great opportunity for networking, and thank you to our attendees who booked one on one sessions with our facilitator, Isaac Robinson.

To check our upcoming workshop click here to secure your spot and ensure that you don't miss out on these valuable learning opportunities. We are committed to offering insights, guidance, and support in various areas of interest to help you thrive in today's ever-changing business world. Join us as we work towards empowering and equipping you with the tools and knowledge necessary for success.

Meet The Buyer event wrap up 

The Amotai Meet the Buyer Procurement Event was a remarkable success that made a lasting impact on all who attended. With over 200 Maori and Pasifika suppliers and buyers coming together at Fale Samoa in Mangere, it was a privilege for Pacific Business Trust to be a partner alongside esteemed organizations and supporters.

The event's keynote speech delivered by our CEO, Mary Lose, resonated deeply with attendees. Mary emphasisd the significance of Amotai and drew inspiration from the Honorable Aupito William Sio, the king of Mangere. She highlighted the event's embodiment of unity and shared the powerful message of making each day count for our community. Mary emphasised the importance of Pacific language and cultural heritage in shaping a future that uplifts and empowers our people.

The atmosphere at the event was vibrant and filled with enthusiasm. Attendees from diverse backgrounds connected, fostering new relationships and exploring collaboration opportunities. The event showcased the power of unity and collective determination to build a prosperous future for Maori and Pacific businesses.

As we reflect on the success of this event, Pacific Business Trust remains committed to supporting our community. We will continue fostering collaboration, empowering entrepreneurs, and creating an ecosystem that thrives on unity, innovation, and shared success.

To watch the live from the event click here.

Pacific Business Trust celebrates 38 years

Last Thursday marked a significant milestone as the Pacific Business Trust celebrated 38 years, an occasion that honored our past, acknowledged our achievements, and set the stage for the journey ahead.

It was a privilege to bring together our community, business, and government partners for this special event. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us in commemorating this milestone, sharing in our programs, and embracing our vision for a thriving Pacific business community.

Check out our Facebook for more.

Health and Safety Workshop in Christchurch

Calling all small to medium business owners! Join our Health and Safety workshop that will introduce you to essential health and safety concepts and obligations.

Developed in collaboration with industry-leading professionals, this workshop is designed to provide you with a clear understanding of the key requirements outlined in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, specifically tailored to businesses operating in New Zealand.

We will cover:

• Primary Duty of Care

• Overlapping duties

• Managing risk

• Worker engagement and participation

• Introduction to WorkSafe

Where: Orauwhata Bishopdale Library Meeting Room 1, Christchurch

When: Thursday, 13 July 2023 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

There will be an opportunity for networking over dinner at the end of the workshop. Book now and take advantage of this free learning opportunity. 

Register Now

Upcoming Workshops

We're excited to announce that our next series of workshops is now live and running. Be sure to mark your calendar and save the dates to ensure you don't miss these valuable learning opportunities.

WELLINGTON | Understanding Tenders & Contracts in Construction

Thursday, 20 July 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

This workshop shares up-to-the-minute knowledge and expertise on procurement and is designed for construction businesses.

WELLINGTON | Risk Management

Thursday, 10 August 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Understand the key concepts of risk management for a small to medium-sized business.

AUCKLAND | Pricing to Win workshop

Thursday, 17 August 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

The workshop shares how to price tenders and demonstrate good practice.

AUCKLAND | Employment Rights and Obligations workshop

Thursday, 24 August 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

This workshop is suitable for business owners who have employees or are looking to employ people and want to get a better understanding of employee rights and your obligations as an employer in New Zealand.