Exotic products at weekend’s Pacific Trade Show in Auckland

Forty companies from ten Pacific Island countries will display and sell their wares at a one-day trade show at The Cloud on Auckland’s waterfront on Saturday 6 April.

The ‘Path to the Pacific Trade Show’ features a wide range of sectors from food & beverage and handicraft to jewellery, fashion, nutraceuticals, clothing & garments and much more.

Ginger that’s making waves worldwide, organic jams and coconut soap from Fiji; rare gems and stunning handicrafts from the Solomon Islands; fashion, bilum weaves, coffee and baskets from Papua New Guinea; jewellery, garments and tapa art are only some of the products that will be on show on Saturday.

Hosted by New Zealand-based Pacific Trade Invest (PTI NZ), the economic development agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the trade show is part of PTI NZ’s Path to Market programme – an export capability building initiative for Pacific Island companies to export into New Zealand, helping boost employment and entrepreneurship in the islands.

“This year’s event is different from our previous years’ expos in that it is a standalone event indoors with seminars, entertainment and food. We encourage Aucklanders to bring their families along for a diverse and exciting day at The Cloud,” Michael Greenslade, PTI NZ Trade & Investment Commissioner said.

Previous expos were held along with other Pacific events like the Pasifika Festival.

“As well as the 40 Pacific Island companies, some 20 of our stakeholders who actively work with the Pacific Islands will also be present at the event,” Mr Greenslade added.

Ian Furlong, PTI NZ Trade Development Manager said, “This is a great opportunity for New Zealand businesses to view first-hand Pacific products that are aimed at the New Zealand market and meet the people behind these businesses personally to explore potential deals.

“So, if you are a business interested in distribution and selling, this is an opportunity to get involved and see 40 businesses all under one roof.”

The event, which is free for all to attend, will run from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, 6 April.

The Pacific Island delegation will also participate in other aspects of the multi-staged PTI NZ Path to Market programme during their five-day stay in Auckland like meeting with potential buyers and distributors, site visits, gap analyses workshops besides other activities designed to facilitate exports into New Zealand.

“With the cancellation of Pasifika and the final day of Polyfest, Saturday’s Path to the Pacific may well be the only Pacific event pre-Easter that incorporates business, entertainment, seminars and food,” Mr Greenslade said.

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