New report finds that Pacific business owners earn more than those employed

A new report, Pacific women and men in business, jointly released by Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples highlighting the contribution of Pacific people in business across Aotearoa New Zealand and their economic impact.

The report finds that a third of Pacific-owned businesses employ others, and that Pacific business owners earn 20 percent more than Pacific people on salary or wage income.

This is the first report to analyse Pacific people in business and provides a baseline to measure against post-COVID-19. Pacific people who own their own business have higher earnings than those who are employed.

“We hope that by highlighting the value and sustainability of Pacific businesses, that there will be more investment in Pacific businesses,” says Renee Graham, Secretary for Women and Manatū Wāhine Chief Executive.

”We need to recognise Pacific people as employers and contributors to the economy and that businesses in New Zealand are just as diverse as the New Zealand population,” says Laulu Mac Leauanae, Secretary for Pacific People and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.

This report is a second in a series of reports from the Ministry for Women following 2019’s Ngā wāhine kaipakihi: he tirohanga, Māori women in business: insights. A report covering all women in business will follow later in 2021.