This is the first time a canned palusami can be accessed by mainstream Kiwi consumers – including the people of the huge New Zealand-based Pacific diaspora – in large supermarkets, specifically the Pak ‘n Save stores in Auckland. This roll-out is anticipated to spread across the country in the future.
Pacific Crown palusami – and all their other products coming from Fijian farmers and processors – are imported and distributed in New Zealand by Auckland-based Ashon Ventures, who now have a large and impressive warehousing facility.
Pacific Crown is among a number of companies which benefitted from PTI NZ’s Retail Engagement Programme in 2025, working with New Zealand supermarket retailing expert Sherrelle Smith.
Prakash Patel, Director of Ashon Ventures says, “We started off in 1988, targeting the Pacific Island taro market.
“We were introduced by PTI NZ to Sherrelle, to help us get this new product listing in key accounts.
“We found this to be greatly beneficial because she has an understanding of how the key supermarket chains want products to be listed.
“She did a very good job,” he concludes with an emphatic nod of the head.
He continues: “We have a succession plan in the business, with two of my sons who have joined the business, and I know we will go to another level, getting more penetration, more listings with the supermarket chains. We will soon see more of our Pacific Crown and Solo’s Choice brands out there!”
The success story for Pacific Crown in New Zealand reaches all the way back to growers and processors in Fiji – and to the benefits it offers these island communities.
Raneel Mudaliar, CEO of Food Processors (Fiji) PTE LTD, says, “The best outcome of our partnership in the PTI NZ Retail Engagement programme, is that we started selling our products to Ashon Ventures in New Zealand.
“The Retail Engagement programme prepared us to start pitching our products to the New Zealand market. The orders we have now received have become more consistent – a great uptake of our products.”
PTI NZ’s Retail Engagement Programme enhances market entry and understanding of Pacific food and beverage products into New Zealand. This initiative supports Pacific growers, food processors, manufacturers and exporters, providing valuable insights and practical training for navigating the New Zealand FMCG industry.
Raneel Mudaliar concludes, “Food Processors, as an organisation, has benefitted greatly from the Retail Engagement Programme offered by PTI NZ. We recommend that other export-ready Pacific producers participate in it so they can take full advantage of it.”
The Retail Engagement Programme for 2026 is already underway, with a series of webinars presented by Sherrelle, on three consecutive Tuesdays in April. It has proved to be popular with strong registration numbers.
For those who may have missed the webinars, shorter highlights reels of the presentations will be available on the PTI NZ website from May 2026 onwards.
The three webinars were
1 – Understanding the NZ FMCG Landscape
2 – Ranging your Products in NZ Supermarkets
3 – From Ranging to Supermarket Presence on Shelf
With over 26 years of experience in the FMCG industry, Sherrelle developed her skills at the workface, in Sales and Category Management. She has worked with global corporates such as Goodman Fielder, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, and Pfizer.
Sherrelle continues: “I have had the privilege of serving as a Senior Category Manager for Foodstuffs North Island, one of New Zealand’s leading supermarket retailers. During my tenure, I managed a diverse range of categories, including Chilled Foods, Hot and Cold Beverages, Fresh Eggs, Dairy products, Meats, Confectionery, and Seasonal items.”
