The slump in the New Zealand housing market has resulted in the building industry looking more at the Pacific Islands for business. Geoff Brown sees ample opportunities and has set up his own business as a consultant.
AS A NEW ZEALAND-BORN SAMOAN living in Auckland, Geoff Brown knows how appealing it is to have a home in the islands.
“I’ve been talking about it for the past 10 to 15 years and a lot of my fellow New Zealand and Australian-based friends speak about it as well,” he says.
“The lack of infrastructure in the islands has probably been our major barrier in the past. But that’s rapidly changing, which I’ve noticed this year on my visits to Samoa.”
Brown, whose full name is Geoff Muliaga- Brown, has set up his own business, NZOBC – New Zealand Oceania Building Consultants.
His father Petelo Muliaga (originally from Fatausi, Savaii, then Faleasiu in Upolu) worked at Placemakers as a supervisor when he brought his family to New Zealand in the 1960s. He returned to his village in the early 1980s to help build the Catholic Church with his brothers. Among them was Geoff’s uncle Alipati (Albert) Brown, who has been involved in the industry in Samoa for more than 30 years.
“I regularly visit my uncle, who has the experience, and he gave me the confidence that there’s a market I can be involved in.”
Geoff Brown’s own background, originating after leaving Penrose High School, includes a variety of industries, in logistics before making his mark in the fashion industry. He started in retail then moved to the supply side, delving into sales and marketing while managing a number of brands. Among them was Samoan rapper King Kapisi’s Overstayer label.
“Working on Overstayer alongside Kaps was a highlight,” he says. “Polynesians are renowned trendsetters, and here was a brand that was truly Pacific entering the commercial market in New Zealand and Australia. We launched it into Farmers and got it in many independent retailers, which had never been done before.
“It was a huge learning curve, but being involved in a small operation where you’re doing so many different things provides some valuable lessons for business.”
Brown’s work exposed him to the corporate market and he says the ability to network was a key in giving him the confidence to enter the building industry.
While many have questioned his timing in tough economic times he has no doubts.
“You’ve got to go through the tough times to experience the good times,” he says. “The ones who hang in there while others are trying to get out are the ones who pick up the bargains. And there are potential clients in that same vein, who have saved their pennies, not got caught with too much debt, and now see opportunities in the marketplace.”
Brown is working with a number of suppliers, including Kitset Homes New Zealand. He says quality and service are paramount, as is understanding the Pacific market. It ranges from finding the right materials and design to surveying the land to ensure the home fully compliments the environment.
Brown also works with those that can assist in finance to suit their budgets.
“One of the key reasons NZOBC was set up is to create residential subdivisions in the Pacific region. Samoa is the start, but we’re looking at Tonga, Rarotonga and Fiji, too,” he says.
Earlier this year Geoff Brown returned to collect the title Paepaetele in support of his father, who was appointed a high chief title Tauiliili in Fatausi. Married to Tracey, a New Zealand Croatian, and with three young children, Milan, Jackson and Malia, he admits strengthening his ties with Samoa in business, as well as family, is important.
“I love New Zealand. I grew up here, and it’s made me who I am. But I also acknowledge that Samoa’s a strong part of me through my Dad and my Mum (Francella Brown, from Fagaloa Bay),” he says.
“That combination opened my eyes to the opportunities in the islands, opportunities which more and more of us are starting to embrace.”
