In this newsletter:

• PBT Welcomes New Board Members

• Apply Now – Two Funds for Pacific Businesses and Enterprises

• Boost Your Business Digital Presence

In addition to welcoming our new CEO, Mary Los’e, who officially starts next month, the Pacific Business Trust is pleased to announce two new Board members have joined its Board of Trustees and broaden our regional representation: Hana Halalele QSM and Lloyd Maole. Their combined extensive experience in business, finance and local Government adds to and strengthens the leadership to support growth and evolution in the Pacific Economic Development space.

Hana Halalele is Waitaki District Council’s first Pasifika Deputy Mayor Councillor, an Independent Registered Social Worker, and General Manager for the Oamaru Pacific Island Community Group Inc. Hana is passionate about community empowerment and collaboration, believes in investing in the wellbeing of our people, and advocating for social change for betterment of our community. Hana holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Social and Community Work, Masters Degree in Consumer and Applied Science in Community and Family Studies from Otago University. We also congratulate Hana who was recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours and awarded the Queen's Service Medal for her services to public. 

Lloyd Maole believes everyone's got a superpower - you've just got to find it. His service to the Pacific community draws on his wide-ranging career and experience in business, banking, leadership, social wellbeing and governance roles. Mentoring Pacific youth, Lloyd co-founded the South Pou Charitable Trust and is a business navigator with Business South and Workforce Central Dunedin. As Chief Executive of the Pacific Trust Otago, Lloyd developed and implemented the delivery of health, social and wellbeing programmes and has also supported community finance initiatives through the Good Loans programme working with the Presbyterian Support Otago.

Welcome Hana and Lloyd.

Apply Now – Two Funds for Pacific Businesses and Enterprises

Register now for an online talanoa to learn about two funds that are currently available to Pacific enterprises and businesses. Hosted by the Ministry for Pacific People, the talanoa will discuss the Pacific Aotearoa Community Outreach (PACO) Social Enterprise Fund and the Tauola Business Fund (Round Two). Held on Tuesday 17 January, Zoom starts 6pm.

Register Here The PACO fund was established to provide direct investment for Pacific social enterprises to respond to current needs to create wealth opportunities and improve social wellbeing for Pacific families in the New Zealand economy, after being impacted by the pandemic. Applications close for this Fund at 5.00pm on Friday 27 January. Details on the PACO application process and eligibility criteria are here: 

The Tauola Business Fund (Round Two) provides direct investment into Pacific businesses across Aotearoa to increase regional productivity, scale businesses, and ensure participation in economic development projects and includes Auckland in this round. Applications close for this fund at 5.00pm on Friday 20 January. Details on the Tauola Business application process and eligibility criteria are here: 

If you’re interested learning more about the funding, don’t forget to register for the Zoom on Tuesday!

Sign Up Here

Boost Your Business Digital Presence

If one of your business New Year’s resolutions was about your digital presence then make sure to head over to Digital Boost. It’s free. All you need to do is create your login to access a wealth of resources. Get inspired, do some training – there’s 350+ ‘how to’ videos – and join their Live Q&A sessions where you can ask your questions and tap some of the best minds in the country to help you reach your online goals this year.