As we approach the end of 2020, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past year.

It’s been a challenging time for most of us, both in business and our personal lives. Covid has meant that we have all had to respond to change this year and respond rapidly. It has amplified pressures on our Pacific businesses and communities and made our vision of prosperity through partnership all the more crucial to keep working towards.

Going ‘back to basics’ has never been more important. The team at Pacific Business Trust have done a wonderful job of facilitating a series of business workshops which started in late July to provide clients with practical foundational business skills, as well as specialist workshops for construction and social enterprise.

More than 300 Pacific businesses attended these workshops and during the Auckland Level 3 lockdown, we quickly moved to hosting the sessions online so everyone could continue to take part in learning and receive support. The workshops have not only served to give new skills and knowledge, but we have seen participants generously share their experiences, lifting each other up and forming new connections and networks.

I have been heartened also by the many Pacific business owners who connected with PBT during the year, took the time out to meet with our business advisors to do a business health check and go on to further access our service provider network for solutions for their business.

For me the culmination of 2020 was the opportunity to gather together as a community at the Pacific Business Awards in November, to acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice of so many in the Pacific business community and shine a light on our leading Pacific businesses and business leaders. Check out all the photos from the night here.

There’s a lot to look forward to in 2021, starting with our refreshed HATCH Entrepreneurial Programme. This is an exciting initiative for our younger adults to realise their business ideas and leadership potential. We have had more than 35 applicants; the cohort will be announced in early 2021 with the programme kicking off in February 2021.

We are committed to continuing to provide our Pacific business community with the skills and solutions that are needed for today and have developed six ‘Digital Boost’ workshops that will start in the New Year. These are designed to help businesses develop their brand presence online and gain essential digital marketing skills; from social media to creating a website and ecommerce solutions.

Our focus at PBT is to continue to support and serve the growing population of Pacific people in New Zealand through business development which in turn drives jobs, income, better social outcomes and prosperity. We have many more initiatives on the horizon for 2021 which aim to support business owners, social enterprises and sole traders.

On behalf of the team at PBT, I’d like to say a huge thank you for being part of our community. We appreciate your support and involvement and look forward to achieving even more together for the Pacific Business community next year.

Please feel free to get in touch to see how we might be able to help your business. Call 0800 287 7528 or email info@pacificbusiness.co.nz between 8.30am and 5.00pm weekdays. Our office will be closed between 24 December and 11 January.

Wishing you all a festive, safe and happy holiday break.

Pelenato Sakalia

Chief Executive

Pacific Business Trust