Sowing the seeds of Pasifika business

News from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) - 27/01/06

Manukau City Council, Pacific Business Trust, Manukau Institute of Technology and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), sponsored the inaugural Plantation Business Challenge to encourage Pasifika business entrepreneurs. Eight teams from six Counties Manukau schools competed for $28,000 in cash prizes and tertiary scholarships for study at AUT University or Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT).

First prize in the Plantation Business Challenge 2005 went to non-existent newspaper Nesian Nius. The prize-winning newspaper may never hit the stands, but maybe it should. The newspaper is the brainchild of four Year 13 students from Aorere College, Papatoetoe. They masterminded the Pasifika broadsheet to scoop top prize of $8,000.

Mangere College came in second place with their ready-made Pasifika flavour, chicken stuffing – Stuff D Moa – taking home $8,000.

An outstanding individual, Tupea Sifa, from Edgewater College won $2,000 for top all round student.

Projects, including a plug-in printer for mobile phone photos, Coconut Go-Go Nuts - fresh coconut juice in a bottle, and an alcohol-free teen nightclub, also impressed the judging panel at the Challenge final.

Projects were assessed against real-world criteria, such as competitive advantage and financial planning.

MIT also awarded two study scholarships valued at $3,500 and three at $1,000.

Schools competing in the Plantation Business Challenge were:

• Aorere College
• Auckland Seventh Day Adventist College
• De La Salle College –two teams
• Edgewater College
• Mangere College – two teams
• Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate

Plantation Business Challenge competitors in a relaxed moment Photo source AUT University Click here to view a larger version

What is the Plantation Business Challenge?
The inaugural Plantation Business Challenge 2005 pitted eight teams from six Counties Manukau schools against each other in a four-day business competition. It started on Monday September 26 and the event highlight was the Challenge final on Friday September 30.

Teams of four students created and presented business projects to judges who assessed them against real-world criteria, including competitive advantage and financial planning.

Event hosts Pacific Business Trust (PBT), AUT University and Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT) coached students through a series of workshops as they created and developed their concepts. Pasifika business leaders and senior lecturers advised on marketing, research, finance, HR and contingency planning.

The aim was to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of Pasifika students in South Auckland by enabling them to develop business ideas.

PBT chief executive Paul Muller says they are committed to the Challenge and to supporting young Pasifika business students to thrive in education.

“The project aligns with our mission to grow and develop sustainable Pacific businesses, and we are keen to connect with more of our young people.”

AUT Pasifika liaison Ronji Tanielu from AUT University says this event is about assisting Pasifika students to harness the power of education.

“It’s about opening the door for them to discover the educational pathways available to them,” he says.

Pasifika liaison at MIT, Terri Leo-Mauu, says the underpinning idea for the Challenge has been to grow tomorrow’s pacific business leaders today.

“This has been a unique opportunity for senior high school students to take a business idea and develop it under the guidance of skilled professionals and educators,” she says.

The students attended one day workshops at MIT, AUT University and Pacific Business Trust.

Manukau City Council is the main event sponsor. Other Challenge stakeholders are Pacific Business Trust, AUT University and Manukau Institute of Technology.

Another Challenge this year
Plans are under way for another Challenge in 2006 - bigger, brighter and better than ever.