There are some moments in business that mean a little more than others, and winning the 2026 NSW Pacific Communities Business Award is one of those moments for me.
When I started MATAI, I had a vision of building something that represented who we are as Pacific people and showed the world what was possible when we believed in ourselves. I wanted to create a brand that could stand proudly on the world stage, but at the same time, I never wanted to lose sight of where we came from or who we were building it for.
So to be recognised as a winner among Pacific businesses across New South Wales is something I'm incredibly proud of.
There are so many incredible Pacific people building businesses, creating organisations, employing people, supporting families and contributing to our communities across this state. To be acknowledged alongside that community means a lot because I know how much work goes into building something from the ground up.
For me, this award isn't just about MATAI.
It's about what the MATAI journey represents.
Over the years, we've had plenty of challenges. We've had moments where things didn't go the way we planned, moments where we've had to figure things out as we went and moments where we questioned how far we could actually take this thing. But we've kept going.
We've continued to build.
We've continued to represent the Pacific.
And we've continued to believe that our people belong in every room, every industry and every level of business.
That's what makes this award special.
It's recognition that Pacific businesses are here. We're creating. We're leading. We're building brands. We're creating jobs. We're contributing to the economy. We're supporting our families and communities, and we're bringing our culture with us while we do it.
I think that's incredibly important.
For a long time, Pacific people have been known for what we can contribute on the field, on the stage or through our communities. But we're also entrepreneurs. We're founders. We're designers. We're business owners. We're employers. We're innovators.
And I want MATAI to be part of showing that.
Winning this award also makes me think about the bigger reason behind what we're doing. MATAI has always been about more than selling a watch. The products are important, of course, but the bigger goal has always been to create something that makes our people proud and creates opportunities for others.
That's also why the work we're doing through HLC means so much to me.
As MATAI has grown, we've been able to put more energy back into our communities, particularly into young people. We've seen first-hand what happens when you give someone an opportunity, when you listen to them, when you encourage them and when you simply tell them that you believe they can do something great.
That's the kind of legacy I want MATAI to have.
So when I look at this award, I don't just see a trophy or an acknowledgement for a business.
I see two years of pushing forward.
I see the people who have supported us.
I see our customers who have chosen to wear MATAI.
I see our family.
I see our community.
I see every person who has helped us along the way.
And I see a reminder that we're heading in the right direction.
Being recognised as the 2026 NSW Pacific Communities Business Award winner is exciting, but for me, it's also motivation. It makes me want to keep pushing MATAI further, keep representing the Pacific with pride and keep showing the next generation that they don't have to wait for someone else to give them permission to dream big.
We can build our own.
We can create our own opportunities.
We can take our culture with us.
And we can make an impact while doing it.
I'm incredibly grateful for this recognition and proud to represent MATAI and our Pacific community here in NSW.
To every Pacific business out there building something, whether you're just starting out or you've been doing it for decades, keep going.
We need you.
Our communities need you.
And our next generation needs to see what is possible.
This award belongs to MATAI, but it also belongs to everyone who has been part of the journey.
Thank you for believing in us.
We're only getting started.
Nick