Over sixty people who were successful under the 2018 Samoan-New Zealand migration quota have turned up for a New Zealand Pacific connexion (N.Z.P.) workshop.

The workshop, which was held at the Samoa Stationery and Books conference room, was organised by the company directors Manutui Alesana Talopau and Ati Aaifou-Olive.

Manutui said he is in Samoa to offer jobs for people to work in Tauranga, New Zealand, and more than 20 people have been handed contracts to sign, while others were interviewed. 

He said they have secured 100 jobs already from various employers in Tauranga, and hope to increase the number in the future, as this is the pilot year for the Samoan quota under their company. 

“The main reason for this establishment is to fill a gap or a void that has been left unattended from the quota agreement that Samoa and New Zealand have had for many years.” 

“The annual quota is 1,100 every year but the number of people who actually end up with job offers to unlock this opportunity is less than half.  So if 1,100 are chosen and only 450 get a golden ticket, and then key our question is ‘What happened to the other 650’,” Manutui said.

Because of his accounting background, he said he will educate employees on how to best save their money, there will be accommodation provided, and for those who have children, arrangements have been made for free education.

“If you are getting job offers from us, you are not staying in Auckland. If we can unlock this for the next people to come, I think Samoa will thank N.Z.P. for fixing the problem that’s been around for years,” he said. 

“The people need to help us help them. N.Z.P. represents the people here to the employers. If you prove to us that you can stay in Tauraga and do the job, then there will be more job offers.”

Manutui said living in Samoa and applying for a job in New Zealand just doesn’t work with because an individual may have very minimal New Zealand experience. 

“So I’ve looked at things there and I try to see what is available, what are the resources that are already there and not being utilised properly, so we arrange these resources in a way in which it we can give us the most effective result in the most effective way we can,” he said. 

“When I first arrived in New Zealand, Auckland was where I stayed for 16 years, just the last two years I moved to Tauranga, I absolutely love it. The reason for that is Tauranga is a place like Samoa; it’s like home away from home.”

N.Z.P. is the brainchild of ARBEZ, and bother are based in New Zealand. ARBEZ was founded by Manutui less than two years ago. 

N.Z.P. is 50 per cent owned by ARBEZ and 50 percent owned by Arti Consultancy. 

“We wanted to bring our strengths together because I believe in we model, rather than the me model. I feel now is the time to give back as much as I can.” 

“For a long time I was thinking should I come back and start an accounting firm in Samoa, but then it’s a small market already. The quota is just a start in terms of the services.”

Manutui and Ati will return in February with more contracts and for the confirmation of the final batch of employees.