Last week our Year 9 and 10 Pasifika students were invited to take part in the Pasifika Incubation Programme for Entrepreneurship (PIPE) facilitated by Antonio Seiuli at the University of Otago. It was a two-day programme (Wednesday 9 & Thursday 10 of August) focused on nurturing entrepreneurship in young Pasifika men.

On the first day we were able to visit the University premises as well the Business Faculty and its specialist rooms. Eric Nabalagi a Deputy Warden at the Caroline Freeman College was also able to give us a tour of the College while mentioning the advantages of using the University accommodations.

At the end of the first day we were able to learn about Entrepreneurship in a Pasifika context. It was great to see the boys work towards creating businesses and institutions that focused on a Pasifika need. The four presentations were: 

1. Munchies
2. Cook2
3. Moana 
4. Pasifika Zen

The student groups presented their logo’s, slogans, an explanation of their organisations and an explanation on the inspiration behind the start-ups. This became a competition and Pasifika Zen came out first, when judged by volunteer Pasifika University students, who had turned up for the event.