By ELLEN READ
The Pacific Business Trust and the Poutama Trust have formed an alliance to help Pacific Island and Maori businesses.
In a memorandum of understanding, they have agreed to share resources and information.
"Working together can only benefit our communities and their aspirations," said PBT chairwoman Pauline Winter. We intend to
build a successful partnership model for others to follow."
Both organisations say developing small to medium Maori and Pacific Island businesses will have a positive effect on the economy.
But they say it must be a long-term project.
The Pacific Business Trust and the Poutama Trust were set up in the late 1980s to foster business development among Pacific Island and Maori people.
Intermarriage and business alliances between Maori and Pacific people have increased crossovers between the two organisations.
"Often we've referred our clients to each other because one of the business partners was Maori or Pacific Islander," said PBT business manager Inoke Vala.
The PBT has traditionally assisted people involved in service-based industries, but plans to expand into fishing, agriculture and tourism.
"The Poutama Trust can give us a lot of advice in these areas because it has many clients in these industries," said Vala.
"We can help them strengthen ties within the Pacific business communities and also share our business skills and experiences."
The PBT has offices in Auckland and Wellington, and the Poutama Trust has online offices for Maori businesses.
A third PBT office will open in Christchurch in July.
