The Pacifica Social Enterprise Journey  - 2010

In Febraury of 2010 five studnetns began an amazing jounrey of entperirrsipe. The Mentors were Keith Yardley (Chartered Accountant) and Peter Petaia (Solicitor at the Canterbury Community Law Centre).  The coach was David Ivory and Teacher Perry Petelo.

The studnents, trading underthe name Ocenaic Fusion, manufactured soap from natural ingredients sourced from the Pacific Islands. The students came first in Canterbury Regional Orals and the Canterbury Regional Trade Fair. Further on in November of 2010 the team received the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Award.  Then came the ultimate award, after competing during the day against New Zealand's top regional enterprise teams, they received and were presented by the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand, The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme Company of the Year (2010). 

During the year students drew on their pacific roots and shared cultural experiences to produce a sustainable, environmentally friendly product. They commenced production of a range of natural, organic beauty products the first of which was pacific infused soap. The goals under which forged this company and range of products were: to establish an  organic cosmetics company, to produce the product using organic ingredients while acting in an ethically sustainable manner and to give back and support our communities in need back home in the Pacific Islands. The shared vision amongst the team was fused by cultural identities within a commercial entity. The students have generated passion and pride within our local Pacifica communities to inspire the next generation of young enterprisers.

Underpinning their action-plan and operations of the company was a strong and unique leadership base. All students being good keen rugby men knew about leadership and teamwork but applying it to a business entity was a whole different story. They had bigger hits on the business field than the rugby field. Ever present was the idea of a social obligation to our community and culture. From this the students pursued a  community based goal which was "to draw from the pure, natural resources of Samoa, add ethical socially-responsible value, produce an organic soap in a sustainable manner and return profits to aid island and community based development and infrastructure."

As all Directors have a strong connection with our school, sport and church communities we have utilised a strategy of network marketing. This was a huge success with a strong response both regionally and nationally. This combined with extensive media attention including the Press, North and South Magazine, Dominion Post and a range of Pacifica publications we established a strong foothold in the skincare market. Students had also established a nation-wide distribution channel in the form of our unique partnership with the Service and food workers Union.

As Oceanic Fusion progresses into the future students will continue to expand our product range whilst maintaining our community focus and sustainable practices. They will continue to work towards and exceeding their social and financial goals while creating wealth and adequate returns for shareholders. All that's left for students to do is to invite you to "come ride the waves with the Directors of Oceanic Fusion. We promise excitement, glamour and a good return. Quality, ethical practice and sustainability underlie everything we do."

WHAT THE MEDIA SAID

Pasifika cosmetics sweep enterprise awards

Sonny Bill Williams may not necessarily class himself metrosexual, but the award-winning high school students behind a new organic cosmetic company think he just might use a snazzy new soap they've created. As to whether the strapping SBW would use their organic soap, Koloamatangi reckons it's not too metrosexual. 

Oceanic Fusion is the first Pasifika company to enter from the South Island and it also won the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs award for excellence in Pasifika business. Terry Shubkin, chief executive of the Young Enterprise Trust, said it is critical to cultivate enterprise skills and attributes from a young age. ''They are a fabulous team,'' Shubkin says. ''They're a group of young men who excel not just in enterprise skills but in leadership, in responsibility. They're obviously leaders to the younger people below them.''