Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio, launched the Pacific Business Village in Tauranga last Friday. This was created by the Ministry for Pacific Peoples using a $16.2 million multi-year appropriation from Budget 2021. List MP Jan Tinetti and I attended to celebrate this project, which will enable better access for Pacific businesses and improve Pacific economic development across Aotearoa. One of the Tauola Business Fund's key priorities is to provide direct investment into businesses to accelerate their long-term growth.

We heard from some of the businesses which had benefitted from the funding. Their determination and energy was something else! I was impressed by how they'd used their funding, employing new staff and growing their business. Being out in our beautiful community was a breath of fresh air after completing my seven days isolation. I was relieved to have been boosted because I was crook enough to lose my voice but not seriously hospital-level crook.

It was nothing like having H1N1. The thought of being that sick again, or responsible for somebody else getting that sick, is why I vaccinated.

Boost yourself

If you haven't yet had your booster shot, please do. It's essential to our recovery and our protection against future variants, and important as we begin to reconnect with the world.

We are a safe place to visit, and in a world still battling Covid-19, our world-leading response has put us in high demand from international travellers. International holidaymakers from around 60 visa waiver countries are now being welcomed back into Aotearoa with open arms.

Pacific Business Village.