Community Guidelines

Built on Respect, Trust, and Cultural Care

Pacific Discovery Network is built to help people discover, connect with, and support Pacific-owned businesses in a way that is respectful, accurate, and culturally grounded.

These guidelines help protect the quality of the platform, strengthen trust across the network, and ensure Pacific business visibility is approached with integrity.

Our goal is simple: to create a discovery experience that reflects Pacific enterprise with care, pride, and credibility.

Our Community Commitment

Pacific Discovery Network exists to:

• Support Pacific business visibility with integrity
• Respect cultural identity and context
• Strengthen trust between businesses and communities
• Make discovery more meaningful, not just more searchable

We are building more than a listing platform. We are building a trusted discovery network that helps Pacific enterprise become easier to find, understand, and support across regions and communities.

Core Principles

Business Profile Guidelines

Who Can Join

Pacific Discovery Network welcomes businesses of many sizes and stages, including:

• Market stallholders
• Home-based businesses
• Sole traders
• Early-stage ventures
• Established companies

If you offer goods or services and have meaningful Pacific ownership, leadership, heritage, or cultural connection, you may be eligible to join.

We intentionally make space for businesses that may still be growing their online presence. Visibility should not be reserved only for businesses that already have polished digital reach.

Eligibility Requirements

To be included on the platform, businesses must:

• Be Pacific-owned or have a significant Pacific cultural connection
• Operate lawfully within their local context
• Provide accurate business and contact information
• Represent their identity honestly
• Respect platform, community, and cultural standards

Content Standards

Business profiles should:

• Clearly describe products or services
• Use appropriate, professional, or brand-aligned images
• Represent Pacific identity respectfully and truthfully
• Avoid misleading claims about qualifications, awards, or affiliations
• Avoid offensive, discriminatory, or inappropriate material

Prohibited Content

Pacific Discovery Network does not allow profiles or content involving:

• Illegal activities or unlawful services
• Hate speech, harassment, or discrimination
• Fraudulent or deceptive business practices
• Misrepresentation of cultural identity or heritage
• Content that infringes intellectual property rights
• Adult or otherwise inappropriate material

Behaviour Across the Platform

Pacific Discovery Network is designed to encourage connection, trust, and mutual respect.

When Reaching Out to Businesses

• Communicate professionally and respectfully
• Be clear about your purpose or enquiry
• Respect preferred contact methods and business hours
• Do not send spam or repeated unsolicited marketing
• Be mindful of cultural etiquette and context

Community Interaction

• Offer constructive and respectful feedback
• Celebrate and share positive business experiences
• Support and uplift Pacific entrepreneurs
• Report inappropriate behaviour when needed

Profile Review and Verification

Business profiles may be reviewed before or after they are made visible on the platform.

• Active Profile: Approved and visible on the platform
• Verified Profile: Additional checks completed to strengthen confidence and trust

Verification supports stronger trust, but it does not mean legal, financial, or government endorsement.

Enforcement and Action

Review Process

Reported concerns are reviewed as fairly as possible, with cultural context and platform integrity taken into account.

Possible Actions

• Warning and request for correction
• Temporary restriction or suspension
• Removal of profile or content
• Escalation where required by law

Reporting Concerns

We rely on community accountability to help maintain trust across the platform. You may report:

• Inaccurate business information
• Fraudulent or misleading activity
• Cultural misrepresentation
• Harassment or inappropriate behaviour

Reports can be submitted via the reporting tools on a business profile or by contacting our team directly. Where possible, include:

• A clear description of the issue
• Screenshots or supporting evidence
• Your relationship to the situation, where relevant

Cultural Considerations

Pacific cultures are diverse, living, and regionally distinct. We encourage:

• Respect for regional differences and identities
• Careful use of cultural symbols, language, and imagery
• Seeking guidance when unsure about representation
• Celebrating diversity across Pacific communities

Cultural identity is not decorative. It is meaningful, and it should be represented with care.

Updates to These Guidelines

These guidelines may evolve as Pacific Discovery Network grows. Significant updates will be reflected here and, where relevant, shared with registered users.

As the platform grows, our standards will continue to develop to support stronger visibility, trust, and community care.

Questions About the Guidelines?

If you need clarification on eligibility, verification, or content standards, please contact our community team.