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The Ministry for Seniors launched a free programme for older New Zealanders interested in running their own business. John Pulu spoke with one participant who’s not letting his age stop him from going into business.
Starting a business can be a daunting prospect for any would-be entrepreneur and after working for others for many years that’s exactly what 52 year-old Meli To’a has done.
“I am doing instals; any kind of refrigeration or air conditioning and repair and service and maintenance,” he says.
The Tongan tradie is part of the ‘Senior Enterprise Pilot programme’ offered free in five locations around the country for people aged over 50.
Meli and his family are one of 15 business owners who are getting some support at Trust MyRivr in Pukekohe.
This is the only provider in the Auckland region helping Māori and Pasifika seniors with practical assistance to establish and develop their businesses and so far Meli has picked up a set of new skills.
“I was from old-school never doing computer, but it’s really, really helpful for me,” Meli says.
“At the moment they [the mentors] supply me a website, they taught me how to use the computer, especially for marketing – anything will be on the computer, but I feel lucky and I am happy as well.”
Project coordinator Charlee Kelso says this programme is for people who want to make a change.
“They might want to change direction, they might want to change their opportunity and make a difference to their family. They might see an opportunity because there is a great idea there and want to have a go,” Kelso says.
The mentorship programme is tailored to help each client for around 12 months and on hand to offer his experience in the business sector is Robert Perelini.
“We are seeing quite a lot of redundancies, a lot of downsizing of companies, because of covid of course, and a lot of the people getting impacted, especially our pacific people, are our 50-plus generation,” he says.
Meli is in good company, alongside him every step is his wife Sini who hopes others will consider going into business.
“I want to encourage our Pasifika, all those people,” she says.
“We are used to working; we came from the islands, we work until we are older so when we come to New Zealand, I know we can still do the same thing.”
Age is just a number for Meli, in fact the only number he’s focused on now are the number of clients he gets.
