Taonakiebu Store: strengthening a rural business to serve its community

On the rural island of Tabiteuea Meang in Kiribati’s Southern District, Taonakiebu Store plays an important role in helping its community access everyday essentials.

Managed by Temii Beiatau, the locally owned small retail business provides household goods such as grains and canned foods, along with clothing for special occasions, petroleum supplies and a small fishing operation that helps bring fresh fish to the local market.

The business began in early 2023 supported by a Development Bank of Kiribati commercial loan. It now supports employment of six people in the day-to-day operations of the business. This includes manager Temii, two shopkeepers and three copra cutters who also assist with fishing operations and the marketing of fish catches.

Distance creates challenges

Operating from a remote island brings real challenges. Distance from the capital of Kiribati, Tarawa means transport can be difficult and costly, with sea freight taking more than two days depending on vessel schedules. When cargo vessels are delayed, shortages of essential food supplies can quickly affect local households and businesses. For Taonakiebu Store, maintaining enough stock is not just a business concern; it is central to remaining a reliable supplier for the community.

Support from New Zealand through the Business Link Pacific programme in 2025 helped the business respond to this challenge. Taonakiebu Store learned about the BLP programme through local BLP representative Akoia Manikai Iabeta who works within the Kiribati Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Her guidance helped the business understand that support was available not only for SMEs in Tarawa, but also for those operating in rural and remote islands.

BLP Grant Impact

With the BLP grant (AUD 3,000) Taonakiebu Store was able to increase its stock of essential grain products, almost doubling the amount it would normally purchase and hold. This made an immediate difference during periods of supply disruption, allowing the store to continue serving customers when other businesses faced shortages. The additional stock strengthened community trust, improved the store’s reputation as a dependable supplier and contributed to a significant improvement in sales.

The impact has been both practical and encouraging. Sales approximately doubled, profits increased substantially by the end of the financial year, and the business gained greater confidence in its ability to grow sustainably. Today, Taonakiebu Store is managing its cash flow well and looking ahead with ambition, aiming to strengthen its retail, fishing and petroleum activities while continuing to meet the needs of its community.

For Temii Beiatau and the team behind Taonakiebu Store, BLP’s support has shown that rural businesses in Kiribati can access meaningful opportunities when information, guidance and financial assistance reach beyond urban centres. The grant has helped the business become more resilient, better stocked and more prepared to serve Tabiteuea Meang through both ordinary trading periods and times of supply uncertainty.

BLP supports SMEs across 12 Pacific Island nations by connecting businesses with quality advisory services, business tools, grants, concessionary lending, and other financial services designed to support inclusive and resilient private sector growth.

To start your journey with BLP, you can self-assess your needs by using the free online tools available to help small- and medium-sized businesses diagnose areas in their businesses that an advisor could improve.

The first step can be the online Business Health Check. You can also check your business's resilience to respond to crises or climate change challenges on the Business Continuity Planner and the Climate Action Sensor. If you prefer to meet a local BLP representative in person to discuss your business, get in touch with our local partners to arrange a face-to-face Diagnostic.