First 'Business Networking Breakfast' a success with Hon. Minister of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Peseta Sam Lotu-iiga

SBN Exec with MPIA Minister L-R: John Milo, Talia Brown, MPIA Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-iiga, Rasmus Pereira, Tim Baice

On Saturday 28th March 2014, the Samoa Business Network (Inc) hosted its first SBN Networking Breakfast Event at the BNZ Manukau, a departure from the usual and successful Networking Evenings, as part of a bid to expand the network and cater to it’s many members.

Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, the Hon. Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Member of Parliament for Maugakiekie was guest speaker for the event.

Over 40 participants attended, where they listened to Peseta talk about the critical role education plays in ensuring a better and brighter future for our peoples, and indeed credited his education for the success he has enjoyed to date.

Peseta also shared his brighter vision for Pasifika communities, and spent much of his time talking about the work he and his government are engaged in, in trying to achieve this vision. The next part of his talk was a question and answer session, where he and fellow SBN members discussed issues such as financial literacy, leadership programs, business support through shared services and skilled employment schemes.

The invitation of a government minister set’s a new tone for the Network, and highlights the efforts of the Network to further expand and to grow its networks and visibility within the Samoan business and wider community.

The audience was treated to a wonderful breakfast catered by Frangapani Hospitality. Based in south Auckland Frangipani is owned by Sepi & Barbara Faulalo, Specialises in Pacific Food Fusion.

In the lead up to the event, the Network also welcomed several new members including WE Accounting and Business Services’ Wyndi and Eli Tagi, Pulotu Selio Solomon and the Martin Hautus Institute, Sepi and Barbara Faulalo of Frangipani Catering, Ese Tatupu of Ese Tatupu Funeral Directors & Mortuary Embalmers and Culture-X New Zealand.

The Samoa Business Network Executive Committee would like to thank and acknowledge the following members for their support and sponsorship of the event:

Pacific Ezy Money Transfer
Business Spacific
Super City Works
Levi Plumbing
Talia Design
NZ Pacific Newspaper
WE Accounting & Business Services Ltd
BNZ
Shopsamoa.com
Kara’s Fashion
Frangipani Hospitality

N.B The next Samoa Business Networking Evening will take place on Tuesday 29th April, 2014 from 6.00pm - 8.00pm hosted by WE Accounting & Business Services. ​