Fa'atalofa atu malo le soifua ma le lagi e mama i lo outou paia ma le mamalu. O le vaiaso lenei ole fa'amanatuina ole Gagana Samoa I lona autu "Mitamita I lau Gagana, maua'a lou faasinomaga". O lea faapea ona lafoina atu fa'asilasilaga taua mo lenei vaiaso mo galuega taua.  Manuia tele le fa'amanatuina ma le fa'atauaina o lenei vaiaso ole gagana Samoa. Soifua. In this newsletter:

• Celebrating Samoan Language Week

• Budget Announcement 2023

• Workshop Weekly Recap: In case you missed it

• Top Cover Leather Goods on PMN Pacific Days Show

• Hatch Pacific Programme: Latest Updates

• Fund for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu businesses still available

• Upcoming Workshops

• Connect in with us for support

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Celebrating Samoan Language Week

Every year, we come together to celebrate and honor our Pacific communities, embracing the richness of our culture, traditions, language and customs. This week, Pacific Business Trust is again proud to stand alongside our Samoan community to acknowledge their uniqueness and the beauty of Gagana Samoa.

We're embracing this year's empowering theme: "Be proud of your language and grounded in your identity." It serves as a powerful reminder to honor the immense value of our language while remaining firmly rooted in who we are. Our team will be sharing a range of engaging events and activities for everyone to participate in which will be shared throughout the week. 

We warmly invite you to join us on this journey of celebration and unity and share your experiences and stories with us on social media by following and tagging us. Together, let's cherish, amplify and enrich Aotearoa with the beauty of Samoan culture. 

Budget Announcement 2023

As you may have seen the budget announcement last week, we are thrilled to share the exciting news of Budget 2023 which brings forth targeted initiatives aimed at uplifting and supporting Pacific communities across Aotearoa. Click here to read more on what it means for our Pacific communities or visit the Budget 2023 website for more information. 

Weekly Workshop Recap: In case you missed it

Last week we had the pleasure of hosting two workshops, on Business Continuity Planning (BCP) which delved into Accounting, Tax, and Business Strategy and Procurement focusing on Health and Safety. It was inspiring to see a strong turnout, with more than 40 businesses in attendance. Among those who were part of the evening was a group of new businesses attending for the first time, including Loriana's Pacific, That Rental Plug Limited, Shinobi Threads, Genouhu Solutions Ltd, Fretton Enterprise Ltd and Selwyn Lawn Experts who had the opportunity to network and share their insights with the team.

Isaac Robinson, facilitated the Accounting workshop, delving into various topics ranging from an overview of BCP and its importance to the intricate details of income tax, terminal tax and provisional tax. The discussion also focused on exploring the crucial aspects of safeguarding and protecting your business making sure its resilience in challenging times. 

The Procurement workshop was facilitated by Afele Paea who explored in-depth, Health and Safety in the workplace. He emphasised the significance of the Primary Duty of Care highlighting the importance of creating a secure working environment and prioritising employee well-being. Our talanoa also extended to crucial areas such as risk management, understanding the complexities of overlapping duties and navigating the intricacies of WorkSafe regulations. 

As we concluded the sessions, we highlighted the diverse range of readily accessible support services available to all participants. Malo' Aupito to everyone who attended, we truly appreciate the talanoa and the connections and hope to see more of you for future workshops. 

Special thank you to JP Catering and Takeaway for the delicious kai and to Isaac and Afele for your expertise and engaging discussions and for creating an environment where our clients can actively engage and share their insights following the workshops.

If you are interested in attending our upcoming workshops click here to register and secure your spot. We will send a reminder closer to date so you don't miss out.

Top Cover Leather Goods on PMN Pacific Days Show

Watch Now

Check out Marshall (Mala) Tepania, the managing director of Top Cover Leather Goods—a Pasifika-owned bespoke leather goods company. With 15 years of experience in the Royal Navy, Mala embarked on an exciting new journey officially launching his trade last year.

Mala is an active member of our current Hatch Pacific cohort, using the programme to elevate his business and expand his knowledge in the world of entrepreneurship. If you're looking to order some products for father's day or your loved ones check out their website and order yours today. 

Hatch Pacific Programme: Latest Updates

You may wonder what's happening in our Hatch Pacific space? The response to our Hatch Pacific programme has been incredible with over 100 registrations and we are thrilled to see such strong interest. 

Our Hatch Pacific Startup Programme started on Wednesday, April 12th, and we're currently on Week Seven, thoroughly enjoying the journey with our cohort. Here's a recap of what we've covered so far:

• Week One: Introduction to Hatch Pacific

• Week Two: Where to Begin

• Week Three: Startup Steps

• Week Four: Tax 101

• Week Five: Business Operations

• Week Six: Go to Market

• Week Seven: Pitch Decks

Additionally, we're delighted to announce that our Hatch Pacific Foundation Programme commenced on Thursday, April 20th. We're currently on Week Five, and our cohort is making excellent strides in their learning. Here's a summary of what we've covered:

• Week One: Introduction to Hatch Pacific

• Week Two: Business 101

• Week Three: Design Thinking

• Week Four: Marketing 101

• Week Five: Finances 101

If you're looking to join us for the next intake, make sure to check out our website and stay tuned for more updates!

Fund for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu businesses still available

In case you missed it, the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Economic and Business Development Fund is still available to provide support to local businesses and non-profit organizations in our community! We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity by submitting your applications. For detailed guidelines, please refer to the Guidelines here or click here to access a map of the board area.

How Much Can You Receive?

Each application is capped at $2000 and is now open and available on Smartygrants. Applications close 8pm on 30 June 2023. As a requirement for funding, businesses must be located within the board area and have legal status and/or a New Zealand Business Number (NBN).

Types of expenses covered by the Fund

Funding of up to $2000 can be sought for:

• tools or equipment

• money for training or conference attendance

• money for marketing, research, or consulting expenses

• seed money for start-ups

• sustainability projects

• assistance for companies affected by recent catastrophic weather events

• or submit an unspecified proposal for consideration in the direction of economic development.

Funding process To apply for funding, go online here. Applications close at 8pm, Friday 30 June. After the fund closes, a panel will review applications, and those successful will be contacted, and payments processed.

Please note that the Pacific Business Trust is here to support and guide businesses in the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu area. While we are not directly involved in accessing the applications, we are available to offer assistance and refer you to the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Economic and Business Development Fund. For more information or help to apply email mangereotahuhueconomicbr oker@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or phone 09 301 0101.

Start Application

Upcoming Workshops

Mark your calendar for the upcoming workshops. All our workshops are free to attend so bring along your business partner or friend who will benefit from this learning opportunity and make sure to register.

Business Continuity Planning- Business Health and Safety Part 2 Wednesday May 7, 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM Join us to share and learn about this critical business Talanoa. How can you prepare your business to deal with business interruptions?

Business Continuity Planning- Business Insurance Tuesday, 13 June | 4.30 - 6.30 PM Join us to share and learn about this critical business Talanoa. How can you prepare your business to deal with business interruptions?

AUCKLAND | Risk Management Wednesday, 14 June | 4.00 - 7.00 PM Understand the key concepts of risk management for a small to medium-sized business.

WELLINGTON | Subcontracting Legal Rights  Thursday, 15 June | 5.00 - 8.00 PM This workshop introduces you to key legal concepts involved in any contracting arrangement, with a strong emphasis on construction subcontracts. It has a practical, pragmatic focus, to help contractors of all sizes.

Connect in with us for support

If you're seeking support for your business we're here to help. Get in touch with our dedicated team today to explore how we can assist you. Whether you need guidance, resources, or specialised expertise, we are committed to providing the support you need to thrive in the real world. Contact us today on 0800 287 7526 to find out how we can help. We offer multilingual support in Samoan, Tongan, Niuean and PNG. 

The PBT Team

www.pacificbusiness.co.nz

Ph 0800 287 7526