TONGA: Tapuaki Mei Langi Consultancy, first small business in Tonga to be the recipient of Adaptation Grant
At the end of last year, we spoke to business owner Mrs Katrina Ma’u Fatiaki, owner of the Tapuaki Mei Langi Consultancy from Tonga who was the first recipient in her country to receive the BLP Adaptation Grant from the New Zealand Government (MFAT). The BLP Adaptation Grants were launched in 2020 and a second-round in 2021 to provide financial assistance for the “stabilisation, recovery and growth of viable but financially distressed small to medium enterprises” in response to the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.
Tapuaki Mei Langi Consultancy received about 10K TOP to support the delivery of its services which included purchasing of equipment for training purposes, such as a Public Address (PA) system, two new computers as well as upgrading its subscription for online platform zoom in order to deliver consultancy to its clients online. The funding also supported Mrs Fatiaki to engage in business coaching and technical support from Mr Cristian Martinez, and John Maxwell who is a coach and owner of Leadership Legacy from the United States.
Photo of Katrina Ma’u Fatiaki
This grant has been a blessing to my small business, I’ve been able to run virtual trainings online with proper subscriptions to using the zoom platform. I have a proper PA system to use for my trainings and the business coaching support I’ve been getting has helped me to really get out of my comfort zone.
Currently I am now setting up my business space at home, it has been something I have been praying about. By January 2022, I will have my first training space out in the garden a place where you can connect with nature and be able to reflect which is all part of personal growth. I will also have my first two trainers to help run some of my leadership programs. More importantly this move is not just an expansion for my business but also to help me work more efficiently in managing my business from home as I have young children and look after my parents,” said Mrs Fatiki, owner of Tapuaki Mei Langi Consultany.
Photos of the Consultancy training space in Tonga
Tapuaki Mei Langi Consultancy was first registered as a business in 2016 but has been operating as a full-time business since July 2020.
The business provides consulting services using a human rights-based approach to the delivery of all programs, project design, implementation and evaluation. Services include research and collecting of data for project requirements, implementation, evaluation of projects, strategic planning documents, communication plans, workshop facilitation, leadership training.
Courses can range from short day courses up to six-week courses. Customers include government and non-governmental organisations, civil societies, donor bodies, businesses and individuals on the mainland of Tonga.
The BLP Finance Facility enables access to capital for stabilisation, recovery and growth of viable but financially distressed businesses in the Pacific Islands due to the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy.
The Facility opened applications to Business Adaptation Grants across eight Pacific Island countries in January and June 2021. Adaptation Grants have benefitted over 200 businesses to date, and Business Link Pacific is currently processing a similar number of grants to be disbursed before the end of the year.
To further support recovery and growth, Business Link Pacific is negotiating key partnerships with Financial Institutions to offer concessionary lending to small businesses in the region and will soon make information available on accessing those products. The Finance Facility also offers curated information about financial products for businesses on its free online tool, the Finance Finder; visit today to find out what is available to your business right now.