By Tupe Crawley

As New Zealand continues to battle the deadly COVID-19, the Government response has been the saving grace for many of us. According to the New Zealand Herald, the Government’s economic package takes the total amount Government has and is planning to spend, to more than 23 billion. This is to support businesses, essential workers, employees, the health and social services sector, most vulnerable families and groups, caregivers etc during the nation-wide lockdown period.

In the grand scheme of things, New Zealanders are fortunate to have had early government intervention and financial support throughout this unprecedented crisis. But, as the lockdown for New Zealand begins to relax to level 2 and hopefully soon after to level 1, many of us will be wondering what the rest of 2020 will look like.

​How will we guarantee we are COVID-19 free? What are the implications of that on the way we conduct business, schools, public areas? How will our economy cope with the setbacks? How have Pacific and Maori businesses coped and what is the future for us?
​

​The International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook highlights that the global economy is expected to shrink by 3% this year. The impact of the pandemic has and is expected to cause economic disruption at a scale not experienced since the Great Depression in the 1930s.

Economists are somewhat optimistic that New Zealand will bounce back. However, with a staggering level of debt to assist the economy during the lockdown period, significant changes to economic policies and government spending in the next year is to be expected.

The New Zealand economy is expected to shrink by 0.4%. As of now, our recovery depends largely on our ability to contain and eliminate the virus.

According to an analysis by Auckland University’s Mike Lee, businesses who are expected to thrive are those who are location independent and provide an asynchronous service; Correspondence School, VR Tourism, Entertainment, Streaming Services, Online Retail.

Those who are expected to take a dive, are Live Events, Sports, Film and Television and Tourism and Hospitality (Accommodation and Food), Services, Retail, Education, Airline. Businesses have had to close their doors, and job losses are only just beginning. The Spinoff reports that economists have predicted a New Zealand unemployment rate of between 10% and 30% as a result of this lockdown.

Pacific businesses and peoples are also expected to be significantly impacted. Based on the New Zealand Treasury’s most recent report on the Pacific Economy, there are around 5,600 pacific businesses in New Zealand.

As the majority of Pacific businesses operate at a small scale, with a small or narrow customer base, they do not have the capacity and financial assets or security to secure financial assistance to withstand a recession.

Businesses with low assets are operating in the tourism and accommodation, health, construction and manufacturing industries. In addition, the Report on the Pacific Economy highlights that Pacific People are often employed in low-skilled and low-paid occupations and are therefore most at risk of job cuts over the next few months.

​As our essential workers emerge as the true heroes of this pandemic, we are reminded that our essential industries will be our most significant in the recovery period. Statistics show that around 20% of Pacific people who are employed are employed in essential services.

But let’s be optimistic, not all hope is lost. There has been an evident rise in new and diversified business activities and business models. Furthermore, the revival of older business models. These include delivery services and transportation, entertainment and online digital media, virtual education and online fitness classes/programs, online cooking and culinary blogging etc.

Falute Vaauli Lene, of Pacific40, shared that COVID-19 launched their business – their business model and online platform enables New Zealanders (and overseas customers) to purchase Talofa shopping vouchers for their families in Samoa. Families in Samoa receive notification that they have received a voucher from families in New Zealand (or overseas), which they can use to purchase goods.

With the country on lockdown, families in New Zealand saw another option of providing for their families without having to leave their homes.
Retail businesses who mostly relied on physical sales in-store are now utilising their online platforms to sell their products. Despite the circumstances, Pacific businesses remain positive and hopeful that the economy will recover.

Pacific businesses are now looking to tap into their mainstream industries to attract a bigger customer base.

​Based on the latest update from our Government, things are looking brighter for New Zealand. However, the risk of Covid19 spreading (again) is undeniably shaping the way we conduct business.
While a recession to the local and global economy is expected, only time will tell.
For now, our local businesses and domestic industries are doing their best to keep their heads above the water.

As consumers, we should be all in to support them the best way we can.

**We commend the efforts and hard work of all our essential workers who are at the frontline of this crisis. More importantly, we acknowledge and offer our condolences to our fellow Kiwis who have been affected by this pandemic.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Bluwave
Link to original article: LINK

PRESS RELEASE

Manukau, AKL 1:45PM - The Pacific Business Hub based in Manukau City is opening its doors this Saturday 14 March (tomorrow) to provide some relief and support for the Pacific vendors who are left stranded with the announcement of the cancellation of the 2020 Pasifika Festival earlier this morning.

The organisers of Pop-Up Pasifika have released this statement;

If you're a Pacific vendor that has been affected by the Pasifika Festival cancellation please get in contact with the organisers as they have limited spaces available. A small fee is being charged to cover the costs of the event.

Contact:
Laura Keil-Hall
Email: laura@pacificbizhub.co.nz
Mobile: 021659072
Office: 9 Sharkey Street, Manukau City

Manukau, AKL - ​The location is perfect. It’s smack in the heart of bustling Manukau City, close to the mall but on a parking-friendly side street. The bold signage is unmissable. Its huge lettering, sprawled across a glass-encased shopfront, welcomes you into The Pacific Business Hub.
 
Last Friday 21 February, The Pacific Business Hub was officially launched! The event also marked a milestone for the establishment as it celebrates its 1-year anniversary since opening its doors.
 
For founder, Laura Keil-Hall, the Hub is the fulfillment of “a passion and a dream”. It started with a bit of inspiration from her years as a Bank of New Zealand business manager.
 
The concept of The Pacific Business Hub is based on the existing model of co-working and shared office space. A base for small and new start-up businesses to collaborate resources and share space. 
 
Laura remembers: “The first time I walked into [BNZ’s] Highbrook Partner Centre, I immediately said to myself, ‘I would like to one day offer a space like this for…the Pacific.’”
Laura envisioned a professional yet nurturing hub for Pacific entrepreneurs, an affordable place for startups and small businesses to set up office, meet with clients, get creative, collaborate and be inspired by other ambitious like-minded thinkers.
 
The difference is, the Hub is not your average traditional shared office co-working space. In its core essence it incorporates Pacific cultural values and strengths in how it operates.
 
What Laura’s achieved so far is certainly appealing. Through the main doors, a lovely fragrance beckons you into a tastefully furnished foyer bordered by a trio of meeting rooms. 
 
A large reception desk acts as a gatekeeper for the rest of the space, and on the wall above it is a gallant declaration of the Hub’s mission to, “Enable, Empower and Enrich”. 
 
Laura elaborates that the Hub itself is an enabling space where they provide practical business solutions to help and support businesses that are owned and operated by Pacific peoples. One of the solutions is providing affordable office space.
 
“You don’t have to worry about overheads [here],” Laura says. “You don’t have to worry about paying a separate bill for your Wi-Fi, a separate bill for the power, a separate bill for cleaning… you’ve got all of that included in that [tenancy] package. The office packages vary and are tailored to the needs and budget of the business so basically we try and make things work.”
 
Laura believes that by providing solutions enables people and when you enable people, you also empower them. “When people feel empowered they gain the confidence to pursue whatever aspirations they may have. The end goal we want from being enabled and feeling empowered, is enriching our lives, not just ours but everyone else around us.”
 
She also brings her vast network of connections to the Hub, as well as a wealth of corporate and financial experience. But Laura also knows – firsthand – the struggles of building your own business from scratch. For her, the entrepreneurial life comes with its own set of challenges and learnings.

​Just over 12 months ago, her first major task in setting up the Hub was to find a space for it. “I got to go out and have a look at properties and understand how that system works and how agents work and what’s involved, and when I finally found the place…I got scared,” she says. “The commitment and the responsibility was huge.” 
But after she passed on the building, she couldn’t get it out of her mind. “I prayed a lot… and the actual building kept popping up in my head. I literally couldn’t get to sleep thinking about it.”  She had a chat with her husband, reviewed all her research, was prompted to calculate the figures again and eventually concluded that the Hub really is a viable business opportunity. “It was a no-brainer. So I said, Okay. I’m going to do this.”
As she continues to pray, asking God for help and support, she felt like her focus sharpened and, “everything kinda fell into place.” 
 
Laura has since thrown her heart, determination and personal finances into this venture, she’s always the first to acknowledge the encouragement of her family and close friends and colleagues.
 
“I have a really good support system…through my brothers and sisters, the Samoa Business Network, the women of PACIFICA where I am a part of the Exec for the Manukau branch as well as the businesses themselves that are based at the Hub. But my biggest and most loyal supporters are my husband and my kids. I am so grateful to them for enabling my dreams and my aspirations because it certainly hasn’t been easy.” Laura continues “above all else, it has been my strong faith and belief in God that has enabled me to take the leap and continue persevering and I honour and glorify HIM by doing this work.”

​“We saw the need for this service based on our own shared migration experiences” says
Zeprina 

“Statistics and anecdotal feedback from many of our Pacific people points to the lack of settlement support and a need for a service such as this” she continues

Mandy Siitia adds “For us it’s continuing the work that some of our Pacific Island families have been doing since the 1950s”

Laura Keil-Hall adds that she has been involved with talks and conversations with some government people and stakeholders in the past and tried to push for something like this but it always fell on deaf ears. She says this is a crucial service that is needed by our people and yet no one wants to do something about it until she met Zeprina and Mandy who were equally passionate about this and now here they are.

What PSSS wants to do is to position our Pacific people for prosperity and give them the best start possible with life in New Zealand.

Because it’s never been done before, the PSSS team are looking to flex and adjust according to the needs of the people, and the programme to be delivered in a way that is culturally relevant and spiritually sensitive.
​
The service is not funded so a fee is charged for the services.

PSSS acknowledges the support of the Community, New Zealand Police, Inland Revenue, the In-Hub businesses at the Pacific Business Hub and the Samoa Business Network.
​

Manukau, AKL- The idea of convenient shopping has a new meaning with Pacific40 Limited launching its Talofa Voucher project in partnership with Ah Liki Wholesale Limited.

The tech company born out of The Pacific Business Hub and supported by the Samoa Business Network has established an e-commerce platform that allows customers in NZ and around the world with online banking/credit or debit card access to buy a shopping voucher for their family in Samoa.

What is unique about the concept is that the person buying the voucher will select the shop that is closer to where their family reside to redeem their Talofa Voucher. This means customers do not have to travel to Apia or Salelologa to redeem their vouchers but can do their shopping at a partner store that is closer to where they live. This will save money on transport and allow customers longer opening hours as most shops in villages are open until 10 or 11 o’clock at night. 

“We are launching Talofa Voucher with the 4 Farmer Joe Supermarkets in Upolu to start with and then hopefully expand to other retail stores around Upolu and Savaii,” said Falute Vaauli-Lene, Director and Operations Manager of Pacific40 Limited. 

She went on to acknowledge that the concept was only possible with a fully established retail infrastructure around Samoa and that is where the partnership with Ah Liki Wholesale Limited was important. Ah Liki Wholesale Limited has a strong network of retail shops around Samoa through their wholesale business and it is a vital component for the Talofa Voucher shopping experience. 

“Ah Liki Wholesale Limited welcomes the opportunity to work with Pacific40 through the Talofa Voucher service as it will allow retail shops in Samoa access to customers in NZ and around the world to help drive sales” said Taimalieutu Charlie Westerlund owner of Ah Liki Investment Limited.
​
Talofa Voucher is now available for purchase to customers in NZ and around the world with voucher redemption at Farmer Joe Fugalei, Famer Joe Magi at Siusega, Farmer Joe at Vaitele Tai and Farmer Joe Aita at Saleimoa. For more information customers can visit Pacifi40 Limited Facebook page or their website at www.pacific40.com 

Manukau, AKL- The sudden cancellation of 2019’s Pasifika Festival left several merchants stranded and overstocked with product intended for the 2-day event. Some quick thinking from Auckland’s Pacific business community, however, lead to a mini-marketplace weekend at the Pacific Business Hub, where merchants were able to recover their costs. 

“It was spur of the moment,” says Laura Keil-Hall, founder of the Pacific Business Hub. She initially offered to host the urgent retail event in collaboration with Samoa Business Network (SBN), for a group of four fashion houses & designers who had flown in from Samoa for the festival.  SBN had planned a shared stall for these businesses at Pasifika, followed by a Pop-Up Shop at the Hub on Monday, following the Festival.  When the Pasifika cancelation notice was released, they quickly improvised the plan, and offered to the Samoan businesses, to extend the Pop-Up event to three days, to support them and ensure they generated revenue to make the trip worthwhile.  Within a few hours after the Pasifika announcement, they posted promotions for the ‘Pop-Up Pasifika’ event via social media, and leveraged on established networks to promote the event.  

But after promotional material for this new ‘Pop-Up Pasifika’ was released, “I got messages and emails from other festival vendors wanting to be a part of it,” she says. 

A total of fourteen merchants eventually set up shop at the Pacific Business Hub in Manukau City. They included the four from Samoa as well as a clothing brand from Tahiti, greeting card makers from Australia, pearl jewellers from the Cook Islands and even a few New Zealand-based Pasifika businesses.

The Pop-Up opened on Saturday, 23rdof March, to a warm public response. “It was awesome!” Keil-Hall reports. “The people who came to the event came to buy.” 

“Some of them said it’s nice to have authentic Pacific products,” she continues. “I’d see a few people actually try to get one [item] from each stall, so that was really good.”

Keil-Hall drew on her years of experience in event planning to pull off this impromptu marketplace, but a huge advantage was that she already owned a venue for it. She had opened the Pacific Business Hub – a shared working space aimed at Pasifika entrepreneurs – only a few weeks earlier and was working towards its official launch when she learned about the cancellation of Pasifika.  

“One of the vendors said, when they heard about that, they cried,” she says, “because they didn’t know what to do and they’d ordered all this stock and they’ve got nowhere else to go. I mean, I definitely understand the situation and why [Pasifika] was cancelled, but we’ve still got to think about the livelihood of these vendors [who had] spent a lot of money… at least give them another option to… make some money back.”

By all accounts, Pop-Up Pasifika was a success. Keil-Hall visited with each of her hosted merchants who reported: not only did they hit their expected revenue targets for the weekend, but they also made a lot of new connections and have plans now for future collaborations.   

Keil-Hall was especially moved by the sense of positivity and aroha over the weekend, from the supporters who came through and amongst the vendors themselves. They helped each other set up stalls or and even shared their EFTPOS services.  And then, Keil-Hall laughs, “they all asked me whether we can actually have [this Pop-Up] as an annual event!” 

The vendors paid $60 per day for a stall in the Pacific Business Hub. The Pop-Up Pasifika event ran for three days, from Saturday the 23rdto Monday the 25thof March. 

The Pacific Business Hub is especially grateful to Afamasaga Jackie Curry of the Samoa Business Network and Martin Anae of Bluwave for their generous support of this event. Also acknowledging the support of PCF, PTI NZ, MFAT, PACIFICA Inc. & some Local Councillors.

We also wish to thank and acknowledge the contribution of Pacific Media Network and Radio Samoa for being very accomodating and helping us reach our audiences. 

List of vendors;
Aolele - Handmade Adornment (Samoa - NZ local)
Insider Samoa (Samoa)
Island Kiwi (NZ residing in Hawaii)
Kingdom Design (Tonga - NZ local)
Koloa Jewellery (Tonga - NZ local)
Kora Pearls (Cook Islands)
Nelly Samoa (Samoa)
Nesian (Tahiti)
Nesian-Phresh (Tonga & Samoa from Australia)
Rimani Samoa (Samoa)
Siamu Popo (Samoa)
Tuiga by FotuoSamoa (Samoa - NZ Local)
Tulela Boutique (Samoa)
Under the Bird / Soy Delights NZ (Samoa - NZ local)