Transcript
The Network's Chair, Paul Retimanu, says Pasifika people are not traditionally enthusiastic about being recognised so the event was important to encourage local business people but also to identify those who sometimes remained hidden.
"If we look at the numbers, 1.6 percent of Pacific Island people own their own business. If you look at Maori, it is between 11 and 12 percent, Asian 13-14 percent. I don't think that number is quite right, 1.6, I think what we don't know is that a lot of our people don't come out and say hey I'm actually a Pacific Islander. I'm Niuean or I'm Cook Islander and I'm in business and doing well. I might employ one staff member or I could employ 50 but I don't think our people put our hand up to acknowledge that."
Community leader Dame Luamanuvao Winnie Laban says Pasifika need to aim high in whatever they do.
"More importantly, to aim to own a business, to be your own boss, to be the entrepreneur, to be the innovator. We have a fast growing youth population in New Zealand and it's important that they see role models. They can learn from that and they can aspire for that."
One such example is Arti Chand, the tax solicitor who won Pasifika Businesswoman of the Year.
She agrees celebrating achievement is a necessity.
"We need to do that, not just because of us but because we need to inspire our young people who are getting into business, who have ideas, they need to see Pasifika role models who are running and operating their own businesses."
Joe Fiu runs Toki Services alongside former professional rugby player Jacob Ellison.
Their company, which includes training facilities and sports tourism was recognised as a rising star.
"Rugby academies, coaching clinics, upskilling players and coaches and the tourism side is we bring over rugby teams, we bring over students, we bring over, just using rugby and sport to bring people to New Zealand so we can show them around the area and what we do here."
Mr Fiu says providing services comes naturally to Pasifika.
"Dine New Zealand, Ms Tiatia there, she's just won an award for an academy that trains up Pasifika people to go into the workforce. You know the funny thing is, that's the best idea, because we do feaus, which is doing stuff for our families all the time. So we are just using that skillset and then putting it into business. I think it's in our DNA, we just don't realise it."
James Fruean owns and operates Wellington Pipelines and he received the Established Business Award.
Mr Fruean's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to do something they are passionate about.
" I enjoy working with machinery. I enjoy working with my hands, outside, you can't beat it. The secret to my success and if I can encourage other people to try a similar line, look at what you are doing, make sure it is what you want to do and make sure you enjoy it."
Mr Fruean says it was risky launching his business at just 25 but he and others in the community have shown it can be done.
"We as a people, we as a community, as individuals, we can represent, we can achieve things and we can especially set examples for others."
Tattoo and Barber company Taupou Tatau, hospitality trainers Dine Academy and electronic security providers Circuit Systems also received awards while the women's advocacy group, PACIFICA Inc., was recognised for their national contribution to the community.
