Kia orāna, mālō nī, ni sa bula vinaka, tālofa lava, fakaalofa lahi atu, mālō e lelei!
Welcome to the latest edition of the Wellington Pasifika Business Network newsletter. We’re delighted to have you as a valued member of our community and are thrilled to share some important updates, events, and opportunities with you. If you’re an exporter or considering becoming one, we invite you to read below and keep an eye out for upcoming events designed to help you expand your business overseas and connect you with key players in the industry. We look forward to working together to support your business growth and success.
Fa’afetai tele lava for being a part of our network.
The Wellington Pasifika Business Network
WE Trade Mission and Summit | Pasifika Entrepreneurs Interested in Doing Business in Samoa!
We are excited to share with you some amazing news! We have partnered with WE Mana in their annual WE Summit and Trade Mission to Samoa. The dates are as follows:
Trade Mission – 22 May and 23 May.
Summit – 24 May and 25 May.
Diversify Your Revenue Stream – New Markets
This is a fantastic opportunity to expand your reach into new markets and take your business to the next level.
The WE Summit offers numerous benefits, including:
Unlocking unexplored business opportunities in the Pacific.
Cost effective ways to explore new markets.
Valuable, face to face networking opportunities with local and international businesses.
Support and resources you need to establish a presence in Samoa.
Exceptional Keynote Speakers!
But that’s not all – the lineup of keynote speakers is truly impressive!
At the WE Mana Summit, Hawaii Five-0’s Beulah Koale, NZ Black Fern and 7s player, Stacey Fluhler, Women’s rights activist, business owner and Honorary Consulate Vaimasanu’u Zita Martel, and our very own Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, David Dewar, as well as others, will be taking the stage to share their expertise and insights with you.
Special Offer for WPBN Members – Attending the WE Trade Mission and Summit In Person
Partnering with WE Mana, we are happy to announce that we currently have an amazing offer on hand!
Join them at the WE Summit and Trade Mission and take advantage of their exclusive buy-one-get-one-free deal! Buy a ticket to the Summit and Trade Mission and get a second ticket absolutely free, you can bring your business partner, senior leadership members and/or executives or even your significant other to enjoy the tropical paradise that Samoa is whilst expanding your business and networking with industry experts from around the world.
If you’re a solopreneur you could also split the cost of one ticket with another business owner looking to grow, scale and reap the benefits of everything the Summit and Trade Mission has to offer.
$2000 worth of value for less than half the price!
Alternative – Online Attendance
If you are unable to make it to Samoa, there is an online option for only $200 plus GST!
Who to contact to seize either of these opportunities:
Send an email to kiaora@wemana.co.nz, or contact WE Mana on 09 378 9207 to register, and email Cece at Cece.Yuhoi@wpbn.org.nz so that we know who is attending.
Email here!
Collaboration | Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (SEA CAPE)
We are excited to share with you a potential collaboration opportunity between the Southeast Asia Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence (SEA CAPE) and the Wellington Pasifika Business Network (WPBN).
SEA CAPE is offering a series of workshops called the Market Readiness Programme (MRP), which provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the ASEAN market. In addition, they are also hosting a Let’s Talk ASEAN series which is a free 1.5-hour overview seminar designed to build ASEAN ties.
If you are currently exporting to Southeast Asia, or, you would like to expand into this market, these workshops and seminars are perfect for you. The workshops cover topics such as identifying opportunities, market entry strategies, and key aspects of cultures and ways of doing business in Southeast Asia.
As a member of WPBN, you are eligible to participate in up to three MRP workshops, all at no cost. You can also attend the Let’s Talk ASEAN seminars for free.
Can you please express your interest by emailing Fa’amoetaula Frieda Crawford at frieda.crawford@wpbn.org.nz by no later than May 3 2023.
We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and expand your business network to the ASEAN region!
Email here!
Wellington City Council | Procurement – Preferred Pasifika Suppliers
Recently, we met with the Senior Advisor Commercial Procurement, for Wellington City Council about their Community Housing Maintenance Programme. They are currently looking to engage suppliers to support their community housing maintenance programme. WCC have a total of 80 stand-alone houses and most of those properties may need some form of work. The properties are all over the Wellington region from about Tawa, heading South.
The quarterly inspections of the properties are ongoing, so they do not have confirmed numbers and works yet, as this is currently a work in progress. The scope of the exterior works required for these standalone properties may include the following:
Exterior paint test/strip/prime and paint.
Weatherboard replacement (done during painting time).
Scaffold (for access to areas around the houses (only some).
Window frames recondition/ replacement.
Gutter replacements.
Roof and building wash.
Can you please let Cece Yuhoi know if you are interested in this opportunity. Please email her directly at cece.yuhoi@wpbn.org.nz
Email here!
News | Law Changes to Sub-contractors
Here is some interesting news for our members in the construction industry who take on board sub-contractors as part of their delivery team.
The Construction Contracts (Retention Money) Amendment Act in New Zealand has been changed to protect subcontractors by ensuring they are paid the retention money owed to them if the head contractor’s business fails. Previously, many head contractors chose to withhold part of their payment to specialist tradespeople for up to 12 months, which meant that subcontractors were often the first to miss out in the event that a construction company became insolvent. The changes made provide important protections for subcontractors by ensuring their payment is kept safe and can’t be used for any other purpose. Property development and construction company owners looking to hold retention money now have six months to ensure their processes are established and standard contracts are amended before the new penalties apply.
Announcement | New website coming soon!
We are excited to announce that the new Wellington Pasifika Business Network is coming soon! Our team has been working hard behind the scenes to create a dynamic and supportive community that will provide valuable resources and networking opportunities for Pasifika business owners and entrepreneurs in the Wellington region. Stay tuned for updates on our launch and how you can get involved.
