COVID-19 Support and Help for Business
No images? Click here
Hi
This week we welcomed Patrick, our new CEO, into the team and he is eager to get out and about and meet the business community.
As we get back into life at Level 2 and wait hopefully for Monday’s announcement we are really pleased to celebrate some great wins for the Valley. We want to congratulate and celebrate some fantastic achievements for Wellington Electric Boat Building Company and Hutt Gas & Plumbing Systems.
We are also really excited to release another set of fantastic events scheduled to take place in November.
The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates
Government Announces Self Isolation Pilot Scheme
On the 27th September the Government announced the first step in re-opening our boarders and developing new ways for people to travel safely. The pilot is for business travellers only.
Participants are required to be New Zealand citizens or holders of a resident visa with a right to re-enter New Zealand, be fully-vaccinated in New Zealand with the Pfizer vaccine, and not travel to, or through very high-risk countries.
Participants will be selected through an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process. Employers will need to apply on behalf of their employees and can submit their EOI from 9am, Thursday 30 September until 5pm, Saturday 9 October.
Applicants will be advised by Friday 15 October if they have been selected to participate in the pilot. They will then be required to submit supporting evidence and a self-isolation plan.
Find out more information here.
Accessing the Government Financial Support
There is ongoing support for all businesses around New Zealand not just Auckland.
The Government has approved a fourth round of COVID-19 wage subsidy payment.
Applications for the third COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 will close at 11.59pm, today.
Applications for the fourth COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 will open at 9.00am, Friday 1 October and will close at 11.59pm Thursday 14 October.
Regardless of where in the country you are, or what alert level your area is currently in, you can apply for the Wage Subsidy #4 if your 40% revenue decline is due to the effect of Alert Levels 3 or 4 from 17 August 2021, and you meet the other eligibility criteria.
Information on how to apply here.
The government made available a second Resurgence Support payment, on 17 September 2021. This is in addition to the first resurgence payment, you can apply for both.
Information on how to apply here.
Information on doing business at Level 2 here.
MANDATORY RECORDING OF VISITORS in effect now.
Latest Business News
Cross Valley Connection
The Chamber has spoken out in support of the Cross Valley Link project.
We are thrilled the business case for the Cross Valley Connection has been approved. We believe it will significantly improve travel time for business owners and their staff into and around the Hutt Valley, boost the region's local economy, and increase employment opportunities during construction.
View the news article here.
Hutt Gas and Plumbing Systems takes out award at 2021 Diversity Awards NZ
Congratulations to local business Hutt Gas and Plumbing Systems winning the Small-Medium Organisation Winner in the Diverse Talent category of the 2021, Diversity Awards NZ.
General Manager Colleen Upton said “Our team is really thrilled and while the Diversity Awards concentrated on our women, we also spoke about our Maori and Pasifika staff and our LBGTI employees. In terms of construction companies we are quite unusual with our team make up but this has made us stronger as a business. In the end for us it isn’t about having HR Advisers and Inclusions specialists and strategies – it’s about realising we are all human and being open minded about who might be the best person for the job. This has led us to reflect the tapestry of our customer base and to having an interesting workplace as we learn about each others’ lives and cultures. I wouldn’t describe us as overly PC either – we simply accept people for who they are. I am hoping other small businesses will now have a go at these awards and I would love to see more construction type industries look at what they can do. After all – people won’t approach you for jobs if they don’t see people like them already there – I’m a big believer in “if I can see it I can be it”
View the award details here.
Wellington Electric Boat Building Company – Passenger Ferry Undergoes Successful Sea Trials
Congratulations to Chamber Member, Wellington Electric Boat Building Company on successful sea trials of the southern hemisphere’s first all-electric high performance passenger ferry. For the full story click here.
Registrations Open For APEC CEO Summit 2021
New Zealand hosts the APEC CEO Summit once every 21 years. This year, for the first time ever, the Summit will be live in Auckland, on 11 and 12 November, and streamed online.
APEC will feature thought-provoking keynotes, CEO panels, and presentations from a number of world leaders, and will canvass the big topics being grappled with by business and governments across our region and the world.
For more details about the programme or to register click here.
Social Media Workshop
Last weeks Social Media Workshop was enjoyed by all, with the attendance of a wide range of businesses. Richard and Brendan from Silver Partner, Synthesis Marketing explained how and why Social Media is so important for every business today. They also discussed ways businesses can improve their Facebook pages and posts. If you missed this one, we have another great Digital Workshop coming up on 19 October 2021 "Facebook Basics for Business" so be sure to book early as places are limited. View all the details below.
Upcoming Events
Facebook Basics for Business
19 October 2021, 8:30am - 10:00 am
For the third workshop in this series, Silver Partner, Synthesis Marketing is again helping businesses get more confident online. There is no charge to attend this workshop, which will cover:
At this session, the team from Synthesis Marketing, will take you through the how to use Facebook for Business.
- Setting up a business Facebook page
- Using Business Suite
- Posting content
- Getting insights into your audience
- Customising your business page
Modern Workplace Workshop - Get More Out
Of Microsoft
20 October 2021, 10:00am-11:30am
Daniel Bohan, Sales and Communications Manager for Layer3 will guide you in a look at several useful modern workplace applications. He will show you the features and some of what they do in the context of possible real life scenarios. You will then have the opportunity to discuss as a group, how you might employ the tools in your own business.
Learn how to view these modern workplace tools for the possibilities of how they can be used rather than just what they are and start unlocking a modern approach to collaboration and productivity in your business.
This event would benefit companies using Microsoft 365 and with at least several employees.
LINK Business Broking Seminar
2 November, 5:30 am - 7:30 pm
Silver Partner, LINK Business Broking are running a seminar for anyone who is interested in buying or selling a business.
LINK's professional reputation is built on integrity, honesty, uncompromising quality, and a passion for bringing businesses and purchasers together. Their experienced experts receive rigorous, industry-leading training, deliver sound, smart advice and are uncompromising when it comes to meeting professional standards.
LINK has been connecting business buyer and sellers since 1996 and they are trusted to get results.
Presented by Karl Jenner, the seminar will cover the following areas;
- How are businesses appraised
- What impacts value
- Maximising the sale value of your business
- How to avoid over paying for a business
- What buyers look for and sellers shouldn’t try to hide
BNZ Tech Series
11 November, 5:30 am - 7:30 pm
Platinum Partner BNZ are hosting us for our second of the BNZ Technology and Innovation Series.
We have another three fascinating speakers from local businesses.
Kristy Grant, CEO, Lane Street Studios. Based in Upper Hutt they provide a screen production experience that is flexible and purpose built for TV, film, gaming. Kristy will update us on how the studios are coming along and how the team is working to develop training programmes and opportunities to support the New Zealand screen sector.
Derelee Potroz-Smith, CEO, Woolchemy. Based in Upper Hutt, Woolchemy, NZ is an innovation ‘mother’ company, formed with one goal in mind: to transform an abundant base material [wool] into something more valuable, using sustainable, environmental and ethical processes.
Colin Daly, CEO, Niche Modular Construction. Based in Petone Niche Modular deliver exceptional volumetric modular building solutions through a combination of processes – both Manufacturing & Construction – or as we like to term it “Manustructuring”.
Gibson Sheat Political Series - Judith Collins
25 November, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Join us for lunch and hear from the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Judith Collins. There will also be opportunity for Q&A.
The Growth Retreat - 2021
Our Events Coordinator met up with Lynne Lawson from Grow Orange Marketing, to hear about the 2021 Growth Retreat.
For more information about this event visit our website. To register contact Lynne at hello@groworange.co.nz.
Due to the change in alert levels, all of our events are subject to change. Events taking place at level 2 will require participants to follow Covid 19 protocols, including mask wearing and social distancing.
Venue Hire
The Chamber Of Commerce has three meeting spaces that are available to hire with discounted rates for members.
Located on Daly street in central Lower Hutt close to the Riverbank carpark, the rooms are great spaces for meetings and workshops. They vary in size, have great views over the Valley and are fitted with Audio Visual equipment. Full details are available on our website.
Training and Development
Free NZQA Qualifications in Business
This is a fantastic opportunity for businesses and their teams to upskill at no charge in Level 3 and Level 4 Certificates in: Small Business, Management, and Administration & Technology. Full details are available here.
Current Student Vacancies
We have a number of new vacancies on our website. These positions are suitable for students or school leavers.
Membership Marketplace
2021: An Innerspace Odyssey-Personal and Leadership Development for Millennials+
2021: An Innerspace Odyssey-Personal and Leadership Development for Millennials+
In these uncertain Covid times, you will appreciate the extra importance of supporting, nurturing and retaining tomorrow’s leaders today.
Starting 1 November 2021, the first Co=Gen Coaching module Focus On You Future. This comprises of five weekly 90 minute small group Zoom Meetings. These meetings will include stimulating input, breakout conversations and takeaway digital resources, reinforced by four coaching sessions.
For more information about these coaching sessions please visit our website. To register contact Malcolm on 0274 577 227.
I am delighted to have joined the team at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I have heard so many great stories about the businesses across the Hutt Valley.
I am really looking forward to getting out and meeting people, listening to your stories, and finding ways to support you and your business to be successful.
- Patrick McKibbin, CEO and the Chamber Team
Thank you to all our Partners
As always, special thanks to all our Members and Partners for your ongoing support.
