Last week, Amotai hosted their annual Meet the Buyer event, which emphasised fostering meaningful connections by bringing together Tauranga Moana Māori and Pasifika businesses with key organisations managing multiple or large-scale projects in the Bay of Plenty region.

Amotai collaborates with government entities, corporate bodies, and Iwi organisations to unlock procurement opportunities and facilitate relationships with Māori and Pasifika businesses with those buyers seeking to procure goods, services, and works. Amotai also offers practical advice and support to their buyer members, helping them successfully engage with more Māori and Pasifika-owned businesses. This practice, known as supplier diversity and development, is a dynamic and evolving field.

Priority One’s CEO, Nigel Tutt, opened the event with an optimistic economic outlook. The numerous cranes in the city centre are a clear sign of confidence in the city’s future, indicating that developers and investors are committing their capital and energy to growth prospects. While this is a visible indicator of progress, other areas are equally significant. The Tauriko Business Estate (TBE) has rapidly expanded and now hosts several impressive companies, ranging from local kombucha producers and robotic equipment manufacturers to numerous firms servicing the construction industry. Thousands of employees now work in the estate. Further east, commercial and industrial developments in Pāpāmoa East and Rangiuru Industrial Park are also vital for the region’s growth. These developments will facilitate the expansion of local industry, providing businesses with choices regarding their location so they can be close to customers, suppliers, and talent.

Returning Māori and Pasifika businesses to this year’s Meet the Buyer event found great value in the opportunity to connect and share their business journey with buyers such as Hawkins, Beca, Downer Group, GHD, Fulton Hogan, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, and Poutama. These organisations are ready with project opportunities available for businesses to engage with now. If you’d like to learn more about Amotai, their upcoming events and how to get involved. Go to https://amotai.nz/