Dave talks with Chris Saili and Janina Wetzel about the journey of building a business in the Pacific, the challenges and opportunities in the region, the role of partnerships and growth, the ADB Frontier Seed Program, the Moana Data Services business model, data accessibility and infrastructure in the Pacific, and advice for doing business in the region. Key takeaways include the importance of community collaboration and the need for data accessibility in the Pacific.

Takeaways

• Community Collaboration
• Data Accessibility

Chapters

• 00:00 Building a Business in the Pacific
• 20:48 The ADB Frontier Seed Program
• 27:58 Moana Data Services Business Model
• 37:17 Advice for Doing Business in the Pacific

With the president of Asia Development Bank traveling throughout the Pacific this week Dave and Glen take the opportunity to talk about the work of the ADB. Looking at some of this week's announcements including the opening of a new ADB office in the Solomon Islands and also discussing broad developments of how the ADB finds projects across the Pacific region. How should business engage?

In this engaging conversation, Sir Ewan Smith shares his journey in the aviation industry, detailing the challenges and innovations he faced while establishing and running an airline in the Cook Islands. He discusses the critical role of air access in supporting tourism, the impact of COVID-19 on his business, and the importance of community and local talent in sustaining operations. Ewan also reflects on the future of tourism in the Cook Islands, emphasizing the need for balance and stewardship in the industry. His insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlight the unique opportunities within the Pacific Islands.

Glen and Dave discuss various themes surrounding Pacific business, including community celebrations for Waitangi Day, the impact of the late Sanjesh Prasad on the Vision Group, tourism opportunities in Fiji and Palau, updates on the banking sector, infrastructure developments, mining prospects in Bougainville, and the growth of the kava industry.

Takeaways

Waitangi Day celebrations foster community spirit and connection.

Sanjesh Prasad's legacy will continue through the Vision Group.

Tourism is a vital economic driver in the Pacific.

Deflation can have negative impacts on economic growth.

Infrastructure events provide networking opportunities for businesses.

The kava industry is experiencing significant growth in Fiji.

Mining developments in Bougainville could reshape the local economy.

Sound bites

"It's a beautiful space with community feel."

"The legacy will continue of the Vision Group."

"Deflation is not necessarily a good thing."

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Waitangi Day Across the Pacific

05:56 Honoring Legacy: The Vision Group and Its Impact

08:26 Tourism Trends and Insights from Fiji

16:38 Banking Sector Updates and Economic Reflections

21:25 Infrastructure Developments and Opportunities

29:14 The Rise of Kava: A Growing Industry in Fiji

Disclaimer

Dave and Glen both have day jobs with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and want to make sure listeners know that any views or opinions they express are personal and do not reflect the position of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

In this episode Dave and Glen talk Pacific tourism, through their talanoa with Jenny Seeto who chaired the recent Fiji Tourism Summit. They also talk about Jenny's career and about the key ingredients of Fiji's tourism success: collaboration and connectivity in the tourism industry, outcomes and next steps for Fiji's tourism industry, future initiatives and trends in Fiji's tourism industry, and business community engagement and opportunities in Fiji.

Takeaways

• Pacific tourism growth
• Impact of tourism on the Pacific economy

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Pacific Tourism Growth
• 07:21 Fiji's Tourism Industry and Land Lease Payments
• 23:39 Collaboration and Connectivity in the Tourism Industry
• 29:24 Outcomes and Next Steps for Fiji's Tourism Industry
• 40:44 Business Community Engagement and Opportunities in Fiji

In this episode, Glen and Dave discuss the movement of people across the Pacific, focusing on tourism trends in Fiji and the Cook Islands, migration patterns in Vanuatu, and the implications of the US visa bond. They also touch on the redevelopment of Air Vanuatu and the upcoming New Zealand election.

Takeaways

• The Pacific business landscape is vibrant and evolving.
• Recent weather events have impacted communities in New Zealand.
• Fiji is nearing a million tourists, showcasing its appeal.
• Cook Islands tourism emphasizes local experiences over resorts.
• Vanuatu faces challenges with labor outflow due to migration schemes.
• Air Vanuatu is undergoing significant redevelopment efforts.
• The US visa bond could affect business travel and opportunities.
• The podcast has gained recognition in both Fiji and Afghanistan.

Sound Bites

• "Fiji had record years for tourism."
• "Politics play a part in business."
• "We're number one in Fiji!"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pacific Business Dynamics

02:36 Impact of Recent Weather Events in New Zealand

04:13 Tourism Trends in Fiji

07:08 Exploring the Cook Islands Tourism Model

09:56 Vanuatu's Economic Landscape and Labor Migration

12:51 Air Vanuatu's Redevelopment Efforts

15:21 US Visa Bond and Its Implications

18:17 New Zealand Elections Date

21:05 Podcast Growth and Future Directions

Disclaimer

Dave and Glen are both employed in day jobs at New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE); however, this podcast is their private endeavour so they wish it to be known that any views or opinions expressed in the podcast are personal and do not reflect any positions of NZTE.

In this episode of Two Palagi in a Pisinisi Pod, hosts Glen and David delve into the business of Pacific sports, highlighting significant events and developments across the region. They discuss recent experiences at the ASB Auckland Open tennis tournament and the inaugural Pickleball Open in Rarotonga, showcasing the growing interest in diverse sports. The conversation shifts to the Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji, where competitive teams vie for a $50,000 prize, and the recent resignation of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson, a topic that has captured national attention in New Zealand. 

The episode features a special guest, Josefa Vanuaca, who shares insights into the business side of the Fijian Drua rugby team. He discusses the team's funding structure, revenue streams, and the importance of sponsorship in sustaining the franchise. Josefa emphasizes the evolving nature of sports business in the Pacific, including new initiatives like hybrid streaming options and the significance of women's rugby.

Kia ora, bula, kia orana, talofa and welcome to Two Palagi in a Pisinisi Pod with Glen Murphy and Dave Dewar. In this episode we recap Papua New Guinea Investment Week and discuss the major announcements shaping business across the Pacific.

Highlights include the Puk Puk Treaty, Australia’s $600 million commitment to Papua New Guinea’s new NRL team, visa changes to boost tourism, and updates on major resource projects including Papua New Guinea LNG. We also touch on the Asian Development Bank's economic outlook for the Pacific and the region’s climate-related risks.

Connectivity is a key theme: Google’s planned subsea cables and data centre plans promise lower data costs and improved resilience. We close with a look ahead to Austrade’s Pacific trade commissioner roles and a preview of next week’s guest, Craig Strong from BSP Life.