Issue: 62

Pakihi Toa, Whānau Toa

Strong Businesses, Strong Families

2026 Stand Out Award Winners – proudly supported by Visa

The 2026 judges will select Stand Out businesses that build prosperity, mana, and resilience. We are grateful to Visa for their generous support since 2023.

Judging Panel confirmed to date:

🔹 Agnes Loheni – (Samoan) National MP | Pacific Business Trust Board Member | Engineer | Business Mentor | Director of MENA
🔹 Fonteyn Moses Te Kani (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou, Ngāi Tahu, Tūhoe, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) – Director of Māori Strategy & Indigenous Inclusion (Westpac)
🔹 Leo Foliaki – (Tongan) Former PwC Assurance Partner | Audit Committee Advisor across Aotearoa & Australia
🔹 Carrie Hobson (Ngāi Tahu) – Director, Hobson Leavy Executive Search | Business & Banking Specialist

Expert leadership across Aotearoa—strong values, sharp judgment across Aotearoa.

We can’t wait to celebrate the businesses leading with purpose 🚀

Save the date: The Generator 2026 National Awards, Mangere Arts Centre, Saturday 19 September 4-8pm. Register HERE!

💡Tash’s Tip #3: Food Shopping on a Budget- you’ve got this

Watch the full story here.

Follow Village Fae for more tips.

🎉 Congratulations to Fatai Pohauhau on an A Grade verified kitchen. Fantastic achievement—well done!

Contact details:

✉️ ruth.prescott@hotmail.com
📞 02041818158

The Generator Workshops in Dargaville & Hamilton

Below is a list of upcoming workshops and events delivered by The Generator in collaboration with local communities.

📍Hamilton – Friday 8 May
Sessions: 12.30–2.30pm or 3-5pm
Te Whare O Te Ata, Fairfield Park Hall, 214 Clarkin Rd, Fairfield Click to register

📍Kaihu / Dargaville – Thursday 7 May, 10am–2pm. (In collaboration with Dargaville Heartland Services)
Ahikiwi Marae, 202 Ahikiwi Rd, Kaihū, Northland Click to register

BRING: Current Community Services Card, photo ID (e.g. driver license), proof of address, phone or laptop.

Session 2: Clarity That Sells

Work smarter. Grow faster. This one’s for you.

Invercargill couple Gabriel & Abigail Garcia share the no‑cost marketing strategies uses to land premium clients

Ready to level up? Register HERE!
Invercargill Automotive Detailing

Don't Miss This! Events Coming Up.

How could $1,000 support your startup?

Got an idea or side hustle you’re ready to explore? This is your chance to put it into action. We’re offering small grants to help student-led projects take their next step—no polished pitch required, just a clear plan for how you’d use the funding.

Open to all Otago Polytechnic and University of Otago students.

📅 Applications close: 10:00am, Wednesday 7 May

Foodstuffs North Island, alongside the Food Innovation Network, invites you to the Emerging Supplier Forum.

An opportunity to learn from the Foodies team and a dunnhumby insights expert, and to connect with local small businesses building their path into grocery.

👉Register www.foodstuffs.co.nz

Forum dates and locations

Christchurch – 28 May 2026, BNZ Centre, Christchurch
Wellington – 6 August 2026, Naumi Hotel, Te Aro
Auckland – 9 September 2026, Foodstuffs NI Support Centre, Māngere

Find out what benefits and payments you can get from Work and Income if you're eligible. The full list can be found HERE!

The Generator Survey coming soon!

This is your chance to pay it forward.
Your survey response helps prove the programme works—and opens the door for more whānau to access the same opportunity.

This is how we grow the kaupapa.
Complete the survey so the data backs what we already know: the programme delivers real outcomes for whānau.

Every week, we share stories of brave steps toward wellbeing and self-employment, even from hardship.

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