SILK Associates was formed in 2001 as a public relations and media consultancy specialising in Maori and Pacific Island communications strategies, marketing and event management. Since its establishment, SILK has operated with distinction.  In 2001, SILK won the NZ Media Peace Award for Public Relations for a Pacific Island law campaign funded by the Legal Services Agency.  SILK’s Pacific Island communications strategy development and implementation was highly commended by the judges.  That year, SILK was also instrumental in establishing the Pacific Island Media Association. In 2001, SILK won the NZ Media Peace Award for Public Relations for a Pacific Island law campaign funded by the Legal Services Organisation.  In 2002, SILK was contracted to deliver a Pacific Island communications strategy  for the Ministry of Health's BreastScreen Aotearoa campaign.  This contract enabled SILK to hone their theories of indigenous public relations by working with more than 100 Pacific Island health workers.  In February 2003 the company took on a landmark contract with the Pacific Business Trust - an organisation at the beginning of a major transition period.  For 2 ½ years, SILK managed the Trust's communications strategy and activities including its newsletter, event management, relationship building with its stakeholders, media training of all business advisors and publishing its Achievers magazine.  It also event managed the 2003 and 2005 Pacific Business Awards and 2005 Thrive Pasifika business event with the Employers and Manufacturers Association. In November 2003, SILK was also contracted by Maori Television to establish its publicity department and help launch the channel in March 2004. SILK still has ongoing work with the channel. In November 2003, SILK was also contracted by Maori Television to establish its publicity department and help launch the channel in March 2004. Between 2004 and 2006, SILK's clients have included ProCare, Consultus Public Relations, Department of Labour's Pacific Division, the Pacific Arts Development Centre, Raukatauri Productions, Front of the Box Productions, Auckland City Council, Spasifik Magazine and Pacific Education Centre. In 2006, SILK repositioned its branding and commercial strategy to take it into a new phase of growth.