Stakeholders in businesses run by ethnic communities from across New Zealand converged in Auckland this week for a day-long session for brainstorming ideas to support entrepreneurs.
More than 100 participants turned up at The Grand by SkyCity on May 23, 2023, for the gathering organised by Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
The idea behind the first edition of EthnicBiz Forum, titled ‘Unlocking Ethnic Business Potential’, was to empower and connect with ethnic and mainstream businesses, said Mervin Singham, the ministry’s Chief Executive.
"We need to tap into our collective ingenuity and find innovative ways to support the ethnic businesses and increase their representation for a more coherent, productive economy for Aotearoa New Zealand and its people," he said.
Among those who attended were representatives from Auckland Business Chamber, Employers and Manufacturers Association, ASEAN New Zealand Business Council, New Zealand Malaysia Business Association, New Zealand Shandong Business Association, Taranaki Chamber of Commerce, Canton Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, India New Zealand Business Council, besides other umbrella business organisations.
Minister for Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Minister for Auckland Michael Wood met business owners and representatives to hear their feedback and suggestions.
An official said the forum’s main objective was to actively listen to the ideas, needs and concerns of ethnic businesses, then liaise with relevant government and community organisations to bring ideas to life.
One of the breakout sessions was dedicated to safety of small businesses. Representatives from the ethnic services division of NZ Police met with business owners and community representatives. Topics discussed in other sessions included how to support business growth and how to cross the cultural bridge.
Mervin Singham said, "Since the establishment of the ministry, we have been working to demonstrate the value our ethnic communities bring to Aotearoa, and this applies, of course, to the economic and business space.”
A recent report by Auckland Policy Office found nearly 30 per cent of Auckland’s economy can be attributed to ethnic communities, an official said, which represents the value ethnic businesses add and their growing role in New Zealand's socioeconomic fabric.
The Chief Executive Officer of Auckland Business Chamber, Simon Bridges, said the forum was a good opportunity to meet all stakeholders.
"Small and medium enterprises are the vital engine room of New Zealand business. They are now more than ever fuelled by our ethnic and migrant communities. New Zealand needs our ethnic businesses to thrive. I want to be right in the middle of that dynamic Kaupapa," Bridges said.
Franky Wang, Head of Asia Business Activation at Bank of New Zealand, said it is essential to include different cultural views in the decision-making process.
"Supporting ethnic diversity with a strong social and business growth mindset through good governance matters because boards make decisions based on our planet, people and prosperity,” he said.
University of Auckland’s Business School offered one of the ethnic business participants a full sponsorship for a two-day course on change management.
A few days before the event, the ministry also hosted a Ministerial Roundtable on April 28 with heads of business associations and ethnic businesses.
ISSUE
