Pacific Business Networks

OUR STORY

The Pasifika Australia (PA) vision began as an initiative to represent the interests of the Maori and Pacific Island business community.  The vision of PA is for a global platform that embraces the rich history and vibrant culture of our Maori and Pacific Island communities – a platform that values & celebrates innovation, entrepreneurship and enterprise as the foundation for the success of our Maori & Pacific peoples.

Together with our strategic alliances, collaborations and partnerships,   PA via Pacific Business Networks (PBN) works with businesses & entrepreneurs to develop, support and grow their operations. We do this by building a solid foundation based on further education & training, workshops, entrepreneur bootcamp sessions, networking, mentoring, and the identification and facilitation of opportunities for Maori and Pacific Island communities.

Pacific Business Networks (PBN) sits under the group umbrella Pasifika Australia (PA) is a non-government, profit-for-purpose privately owned organisation and, over the next three years, we plan to leverage this position to create a self-sustaining model that ignites the entrepreneurial spirit of its members and member organisations – thereby, helping to grow employment and employment opportunities, and facilitate networks that will enable strong people-to-people links, and a stronger more prosperous economy.  

OUR WORK

We provide access to online business resources & training, broker relationships between members, and member organisations and serve as a point of contact between our members and member organisations and external stakeholders such as the government and media organisations and vice versa. 

OUR APPROACH

By providing access to resources, brokering relationships, and serving as a point of contact for external stakeholders, we aim for:

  • the growth of Maori and Pacific Island businesses, facilitating for the growth of employment and employment opportunities,
  • the increase of businesses owned by members of the Maori and Pacific Island communities, increasing our footprint, as a whole, in the global economy,
  • the increase of bilateral trade and people-to-people links between Australia and Pacific Island nations, and especially in light of the ‘Pacific Step-up’ by the Australian Government,
  • the strengthening of relations between the Maori and Pacific Island communities, as well as their engagement with the wider public, as a whole, and
  • the promotion of young leaders within the Maori and Pacific Island communities – in particular, the encouragement of emerging entrepreneurs.

KEY PROJECTS 2019-2025

  1. The Pacific Business Networks (the PBN) launched its platform on the 23rd May, 2019, at the Melbourne Pavilion in Kensington. The event was attended 250 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps representing the Pacific Island nations of Samoa, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, community leaders representing the Australian New Zealander, Samoan, Fijian, Cook Island, Tongan, Tokelauan, and Papuan communities, and guests from New South Wales, Queensland, as well as New Zealand and Samoa. The large attendance signalled the demand for such platform, and the event provided an excellent networking opportunity for business owners of Maori and Pacific Island heritage. The launch was designed to inspire, motivate and empower business owners and entrepreneurs, and the PBN plans to host similar networking events regularly, going forward. See out our ‘gallery’ page for photos of the night.

2. The PBN hosted the Pacific Entrepreneurs Boot Camp Information Evening on the 25th July, 2019, at the Wade Institute of Entrepreneurship of Ormond College (The University of Melbourne). The event gave attendees a taste of the boot camp, itself, and it was met with excitement for the subsequent bootcamp weekend workshop.

3. The PBN will be launching the Maori & Pacific Business Directory February 2021 showcasing Maori & Pacific Businesses business, service providers, professionals, performing artists, and business people from across the globe.  The Directory aims to be a comprehensive and one stop resource for businesses, customers, community organisations, as well as local, corporate and government agencies. Whether you’re searching for a particular business, product/s, event/s, local community group, professional service in a particular city or country–Pacific Business Direct is a great online source for comprehensive Pacific Business & Services information.

4. The PBN plans to host the Pacific Business Expo in 2024 at venue to be confirmed. The event will showcase Maori and Pacific Island businesses in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Island nations, in Melbourne. This will be the first event of its kind in both Australia and our region, more broadly. Be sure to sign up to our mailing list below to keep in the loop.

5. The PBN plans to host the Business and Community Service Awards Dinner in 2024 at venue to be confirmed. The event will celebrate the success of Maori and Pacific Island businesses, and also recognise the contribution of the many volunteers in our communities. We believe it goes hand-in-hand with Business and deserves the recognition & celebration together. Be sure to sign up to our mailing list below to keep in the loop and be on the lookout for your favourites. We will be calling on you when nominations open. 

OUR JOURNEY SO FAR