3 Nov 2016

Pacific Business Trust notes thriving business sector in NZ

1:42 pm on 3 November 2016

The chair of the Pacific Business Trust says the success of its first awards in six years shows the business sector in New Zealand is thriving.

Pacific business.

Pacific business. Photo: RNZ Pacific

Fa'amatuainu Tino Pereira said the awards had not been held during that time because of issues around the trust, along with a lack of growth in the Pacific business sector during the financial downturn.

But he said with 60 to 70 businesses from a range of industries nominated this year, he was confident the sector can now support the awards.

Accopding to Fa'amatuainu, it was a reflection of 21st century business

"It was digital businesses, there were IT businesses, there were businesses with apps, there was construction businesses, there were retail businesses, there were restaurants you know, so we were quite taken by the variety and the nature of the spread of Pacific businesses. It was kind of a reflection of 21st century businesses really," he said.

Fa'amatuainu Tino Pereira said the supreme winner contact centre company, Connect Global, was an outstanding example of a Pacific business that's been successful after starting small.