Image credit: https://www.aucklandnz.com/pasifika

Prosperous pacific communities through enterprise.

In 2023/24, Roschelle Marshall completed her Masters degree on ‘how to strengthen the Pacific business ecosystem to enable the next generation of Pacific entrepreneurs in Aotearoa New Zealand’ and came up with five actions:

  • more awareness of what’s out there to support Pasifika who want to start a business - everyone should know where to go, right?

  • every high school student should have a place in their community to support them in business that also has the cultural capability to guide on how culture and business can work together;

  • Entrepreneurs, whether starting or established, want guidance and mentoring (and should have it!) so networking is essential;

  • getting the skills needs to be coupled with opportunity - it could be seed funding, a market opportunity, new customers. When you learn new skills, it’s because there’s an opportunity to create value.

  • to be resilient, Pacific businesses should serve their community but also seek and find how they are valuable to other communities.

If you’re keen to read the research (it’s 80 pages long), just email us at malo@pasifikasocial.club.

Creating this website is one minor step towards the systemic changes we need to make to support more Pacific people in finding a pathway towards self-employment.

We are open to collaborating with everyone and anyone that shares our vision.

Our Theory of Change - say what?

A theory of change is a visual model that shows how activities lead to positive outcomes. Building a connected, collaborative ecosystem for pacific entrepreneurs is just one outcome we are working towards. However, it is the outcomes for Pasifika people and communities that will generate prosperity.

  • With each activity, there is an outcome or a positive change. Our theory of change outlines what we believe are some of the ideal actions needed.

  • As each activity happens, there are also changes for the environment or ecosystem, making it a better place for Pasifika to start and have a business.

  • Ultimately the activities lead to outcomes for the ecosystem AND for people and communities.