Resourceful eCommerce entrepreneur on Manihiki

Jemina Samson Tangi typifies the resilience of our young people to actively engage in e-Commerce despite the challenges of infrequent and costly shipping and air transport to their isolated northern group island of Manihiki in the Cook Islands.

Manihiki is one of the Northern Group islands

Through her own resourcefulness, she has been able to gather together materials to supplement the family income with a small home business.

She sews chidren’s clothing, endures the long process of preparing the raw materials to weave intricate local crafts and creates jewellery from her family’s pearl farm.

Hat making is genuine creative artwork produced by the women on the outer islands.

Recently installed 4G mobile access across the small atoll has enhanced communication with her customers, and the Bank of the Cook Islands enables most of her customers to bank directly into her on-island account.

She believes that more flexible payment options, as well as affordable and regular transport, would encourage more women on her tiny distant island to engage in producing much valued crafts and pearl products.

She is certainly setting a great example.