Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Young Pacific people with a desire to become entrepreneurs are being encouraged to sign up for the latest intake of the Pacific Business Trust’s Hatch Pacific 2022 programme.
Aimed at 18 to 35 year-olds, Hatch has two main offerings; Foundation, for budding entrepreneurs, and Vaka, for those who already have a business idea that can be developed.
The Foundation programme started last week but another intake starts on February 14. The Vaka programme is currently taking applicants this week until February 9.
Providing a set of targeted business programmes anchored in Pasifika values, Hatch incorporates an inviting and comfortable environment for participants.
Programme facilitator Cruise Tuakura says it is based around traditions of spoken word storytelling, song and humour which allows more engagement from participants with an opportunity to “escape their shells.”
“Our goal of developing a relaxing and informal atmosphere familiar to sitting around in a garage, sharing jokes whilst inspiring and motivating future business plans became an issue during last year’s (2021) lockdown,” Tuakura says.
“We were nervous at first but we planned ahead to move online.”
Hatch programmes are free and run from six to eight weeks. Courses are run online via zoom so you can dial in from anywhere. Being online last year allowed opened classes up to a wider network across New Zealand and even included participants from Papua New Guinea and France.
“We’ve made a lot of headway with what we’ve been able to achieve,” Tuakura says.
“And we’re proud of those who have graduated from the course and pursued onward with their business plans.”
Among those to graduate from Hatch is Tom Va’afusuaga who developed the Manulua clothing brand.
For more info visit hatchpacific.co.nz
