Skip to content

The Pacific Business Village comes to Auckland

The Pacific Business Village comes to Auckland

  • 21 Nov 2022
thumbnail 0C4A9031

(Picture caption: The Pacific Business Village has been expanded into the Auckland region which was announced at an event on Friday.)

At an event staged at Auckland Airport Holiday Inn on Friday, Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Aupito William Sio has announced the expansion of the Pacific Business Village into Auckland. 

“The Village has been well received by Pacific businesses and the need to expand the Village to supporting the large number of Pacific businesses operating in Auckland has been recognised,” Minister Sio says.

During Budget 2022, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples secured $15.5 million to meet community demand volumes for services to support Pacific businesses and Pacific social enterprises across Aotearoa. 

Until now, the primary focus in establishing the Village has been on elevating Pacific regional economic development in areas outside of Auckland, Minister Sio adds. 

He is confident the Pacific Business Trust will continue to play a contributory role in the Auckland business world, working alongside high value Pacific businesses, growing  Māori and Pacific business opportunities. 

As part of the support delivered by the Village, MPP has provided capital investment for Pacific businesses through the Tauola Business Fund. 

Round two of this fund was also launched on Friday, and Pacific businesses are encouraged to apply. 

The Tauola Business Fund aims to support Pacific businesses through demonstrate capability and capacity to increase productivity and stimulate growth; strengthening Pacific-owned businesses to be more successful and sustainable; improving Pacific peoples’ participation in the labour market; creating employment pathways for Pacific peoples; and increasing resilience through the challenges of COVID-19. 

The Minister says a total of 20 businesses received funding of up to $100,000 from the first round of the Tauola Business Fund, but there is still a high need for capital investment. 

“We will continue to deliver this support through the Village and the next round of the Tauola Business Fund.”    

Tauola Business Fund applicants can apply for up to $100,000 of capital investment in their business and are required to contribute a minimum of 15 per cent of the requested amount. 

Applications close at 9pm, January 20, 2022. 

Visit the MPP website for more information about the Pacific Business Village and the Tauola Business Fund.