On the Outer: Navigating Exclusion as a Pacific Organization Beyond the Traditional

Being on the outer of your own community is a unique kind of frustration, one that’s deeply felt yet often unspoken. For over half a decade, our organization has mentored and advised Pacific and Māori businesses, contributing to their growth and success both domestically and internationally. Yet, despite our commitment and track record, we always find ourselves excluded from key conversations particularly within the Pacific business community. The situation is perplexing and disheartening, leaving us to wonder why this exclusion persists.

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Is it our unique approach that doesn’t fit neatly within traditional interventions? Perhaps it’s our location— Auckland City rather than South Auckland, which seems to have become an unofficial prerequisite for being recognized as a Pacific organization. Maybe it’s our light skin privilege which has enabled us to navigate worlds that haven’t traditionally been accessible to our communities.

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It’s not just about missing out on opportunities; it’s about being sidelined from spaces where we have valuable contributions to make, solutions to offer and could have meaningful impact.? ?The Pacific business community in New Zealand is a vibrant, growing force, but it’s also one that can be insular. The emphasis on geographical and cultural homogeneity—often centred around South Auckland—creates barriers for those of us who don’t conform to this narrow view of our community. This exclusion feels particularly ironic given our commitment to Pacific values, innovation, and economic advancement. We live and work in complete alignment with our cultural values and many within the community recognise this, which is why we have such long-standing relationships with the people we work with and for.

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What’s frustrating is that this exclusion isn’t just a loss for us—it’s a missed opportunity for the broader community. Our different and unique approach could bring fresh perspectives and strategies that complement existing efforts. But instead of collaboration, there’s a sense of gatekeeping, where only those who meet certain criteria—whether it’s physical appearance, location, or a traditional approach—are welcomed into the fold.

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We don’t fit the mould, but isn’t that the point and precisely the benefit of diversity? The Pacific community, like any other, is not a monolith. We believe that there is room for multiple approaches, for different voices that all work toward the common goal of uplifting Pacific businesses and communities.

Being on the outer is lonely, but it also fuels our resolve. We’ll continue to do the work, to supporting Māori and Pacific businesses with the same passion and dedication that has driven us for years. And we’ll continue to advocate for a broader, more inclusive definition of what it means to be a Pacific organization in New Zealand. Because in the end, it’s not about fitting in—it’s about making a difference.