Two Palagi in a Pisinisi Pod

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