Driving Pacific Business Growth: How ECG Is Helping Pacific Enterprises Reach Global Markets

Across Aotearoa New Zealand, Pacific-led businesses are creating new pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global trade. Supporting the build-up of this momentum is ECG (Elika Consulting Group) who are working alongside government agencies, community leaders, and Pacific entrepreneurs to strengthen the Pacific business ecosystem and unlock export opportunities.

Through the Auckland Pacific Business Export and Trade Research, commissioned by Auckland Council and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, ECG partnered with Pacific businesses, industry bodies, and policymakers to better understand the opportunities and barriers Pacific enterprises face when entering international markets. The result is a comprehensive insight into the potential of the Pacific export market in New Zealand

Collaboration Across Industries

One of the most powerful elements of the project was the breadth of engagement across industries and communities. ECG worked with organisations and entrepreneurs spanning:

• Food and beverage manufacturing

• Creative industries and fashion

• Cultural tourism

• Digital technology and education

• Health and wellbeing enterprises

Through talanoa, stakeholder workshops, and business-to-business engagement, the research incorporated 73 engagements with businesses, agencies, and Pacific organisations across the ecosystem.

This collaborative approach reflects ECG’s philosophy: meaningful solutions come from co-design with the communities and industries they serve.

Real Stories from Pacific Businesses

The project also highlighted inspiring Pacific businesses already demonstrating export potential and global reach.

Milgy – A New Generation of Pacific Entrepreneurship

Drink Da Milgy (Milgy) is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing Pacific-owned FMCG brands, entering supermarket shelves nationwide within just one year of launching.

Founder Saion Angi represents a new generation of Pacific entrepreneurs building globally competitive brands.

“Pacific entrepreneurs are moving fast, learning fast and thinking globally. The ambition is there — what we need are stronger pathways and support to take Pacific businesses to international markets.”

Milgy’s expansion into China with its A2 premium milk powder shows how Pacific-led innovation can scale beyond New Zealand.

Pacific Kids’ Learning – Exporting Culture Through Digital Innovation

Pacific Kids’ Learning (PKL) is another powerful example of Pacific innovation. The Indigenous edu-tech platform delivers culturally grounded digital learning content to children and educators across more than 25 countries.

Founder Theresa Tupuola-Sorenson emphasises the importance of Pacific-led solutions in global education.

“Pacific stories, language and identity belong in the global digital space. When Pacific communities lead the creation of these tools, we ensure our cultures thrive for future generations.”

Through platforms like the Pacific Digital Library, PKL demonstrates how Pacific intellectual property and cultural knowledge can become powerful export products.

The Opportunity for Pacific Export Growth

The research confirmed that Pacific businesses are a rapidly growing part of New Zealand’s economy, with more than 5,000 Pacific-owned businesses nationally and over half located in Auckland.

Yet despite this growth, Pacific enterprises remain underrepresented in export market data — highlighting significant untapped potential.

Key sectors with strong global demand include:

• Food and beverage products

• Cultural and creative industries

• Digital technology and education

• Health and wellbeing products

• Cultural tourism experiences

With the right support systems in place, these sectors could play a major role in New Zealand’s future export economy.

ECG’s Role in Building the Pathway

ECG’s work on the Auckland Pacific Business Export and Trade Research is part of a broader commitment to strengthening Pacific participation in economic development.

ECG specialises in:

• Strategy and economic development

• Community engagement and stakeholder partnerships

• Policy research and evaluation

• Pacific-centred methodologies

• Governance and Leadership development

Looking Ahead

Pacific businesses are already proving their capability to innovate, compete, and export globally. With stronger partnerships, better visibility, and targeted support, Pacific entrepreneurs will continue to shape the future of New Zealand’s economy.

At ECG, we are proud to work alongside Pacific leaders, organisations, and businesses to help unlock that potential.

Because when Pacific enterprise grows, Aotearoa New Zealand grows with it.

The report is found on the Auckland Council's Auckland Economic Pacific Work Programme "Teu Le Vā".

You can read the report here.