Fresh coffee from Vanuatu, glamorous jewellery from Fiji and traditional handicrafts from Tonga and Solomon Islands arrived to New Zealand in the hopes of cracking the international consumer market.
Papua New Guinea handicraft by Artisan Culture Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
The Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand planned a five-day programme called Pacific Path to Market Mission filled with seminars and networking sessions for both emerging and established Pacific businesses.
The aim was for them to learn a number of practical steps to expand their exports with the goal to one day become household names in the markets beyond the islands.
That included featuring in the Pasifika Business Market, which was held at the annual Pasifika Festival weekend.
Susan Bakani travelled from Papua New Guinea to promote her newly formed business called Artisan Culture.
Owner of Artisan Culture handicrafts from PNG, Susan Bakani Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
"It is in its infant stages this business. We began a few months ago and there is only myself and the marketing officer running the business."
Ms Bakani said the idea of this venture began as a way to promote and preserve the weaving skills of Papua New Guinea.
"I come from a family historically of weavers and I see that our culture is fading due to so much outside world influence.
"It is hard for women in rural areas to get access to the nearest town to earn a living, so my business goes directly to them and I provide solar lighting for the women to weave the handicrafts and then I sell the products for them," she said.
Selected for the programme were 37 small to medium size businesses from twelve Pacific Island countries and for most, it was their first time to New Zealand.
Sylvia Kloulubak from Palau runs a home-based business called Cheldoech Jewellery selling glass bead necklaces and earrings that aim to preserve her country's history.
Ms Kloulubak said early Palauans used beads made of coloured glass or high-fired clay as money in a complex exchange system.
Owner of Cheldoech Jewellery in Palau, Sylvia Kloulubak Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
"It is still a mystery as to how glass money came to Palau, but in the ancient time, this material was what was used by women to buy items.
"It went out of commission though because it was very easy to counterfeit," she said.
"Each item has a story behind it, which usually hooks the customer to purchase the necklace or the earrings and my main customers are the tourists back in Palau.
"A necklace for me takes a few minutes to make. If I am given an hour, I can make around 20 necklaces.
"Earrings are difficult because they are smaller and I always burn my fingers because I am dealing with hooks and I need to burn the ends to close it, but the end product makes it worth it," she said.
Cheldoech necklace made of glass beads from Palau Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
Matairea Bessert from French Polynesia built his clothing brand Nesian four years ago and envisioned expanding to the overseas market.
Mr Bessert said the invitation from Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand fitted his goal for the brand.
"When I started off, I designed the logo to look like a triangle and that represents the Polynesian triangle, showing three rays for each corner of the Pacific.
"When I drew this logo I thought, one day I will go to New Zealand and then to Hawai'i and hopefully Rapa Nui," he said.
"The logo reflects the Polynesian Triangle with three rays for each corner. One for Hawai'i, Aotearoa and Rapa Nui." - Matairea Bessert Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
Mr Bessert's clothing line does not focus on traditional Pacific motifs, but rather the ancient stories from the Pacific.
"My designs include different Pacific art work, tattoos, patterns and it is all mixed together to show the diversity of our history.
"I like to learn about myths and legends from other Pacific countries and turn them into t-shirt designs," he said.
Nesian's street and beach clothing soared in popularity in Tahiti with their top sport stars such as world's fastest paddler Lorenzo Bennett wearing the brand.
Mr Bessert is now eyeing the New Zealand consumer market, especially as some of his clothing are printed in the country.
Owner of Nesian clothing line, Matairea Bessert Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
The Cook Islands-based skincare range Te Tika bioactive oils, has proved that it is possible for Pacific businesses to make inroads.
Te Tika recently signed a partnership deal with Cook Island fashion line TAV, in their New Zealand based stores.
Matheson Enterprise is the distributor for Te Tika's products and its managing director Jenny Henry said the products derived from traditional Cook Island knowledge and medicines.
Managing director of Matheson Enterprise, Jenny Henry Photo: RNZ Pacific / Sela Jane Hopgood
"It is a perfect match to have our luxury premium skincare alongside their popular clothing line, which is also based on traditional Kuki patterns.
"Hopefully this is the start of getting a global reach on not only the products, but the Cook Islands, my homeland," she said.
Companies involved in the 2018 programme also included Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Republic of Marshall Islands.
