COVID-19 Support and Help for Business
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Hi
It is great to see Spring is in the air, the blossoms are out and daylight savings begins. Clocks go forward by 1 hour on 26 September at 2am, yes, we lose an hour, but gain the option to entertain longer into the evenings with our friends and who doesn't love that.
As we eagerly await our newly appointed CEO Patrick McKibbin to start on Monday, the team are getting back to business as normal. With a focus on our employment programme and informing and engaging our business community on the RiverLink project.
Great news for the country as Auckland moved to level 3 and restrictions on numbers for gatherings were eased for the rest of the country.
The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates
Accessing the Government Financial Support
There is ongoing support for all businesses around New Zealand not just Auckland.
While any part of New Zealand is under Level 3 or Level 4 restrictions government support is available for any viable business that meets eligibility criteria anywhere in the country.
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.
The payment includes a core per business rate of $1,500, plus $400 per employee, up to a total of 50 full-time equivalents (FTEs) which is a maximum payment of $21,500. Businesses with more than 50 FTEs can still apply but cannot get more than the maximum payment. The scheme will be available until all of New Zealand returns to Alert Level 1 for one month.
Information on how to apply here.
A third wage subsidy opened for applications last Friday 17 September 2021. All businesses across the country can apply for this if they meet criteria. Applications close 30 September 2021, make sure you apply before this date.
Information on how to apply here.
It was great news for businesses, with Auckland moving to Level 3 at 11.59pm on Tuesday 21 September 2021.
Monday's announcement also saw an increase to the number of people who can gather together at Level Two from 50 to 100 indoors. This was effective from 11.59pm, Tuesday 21 and includes hospitality venues.
Information on doing business at Level 2 here.
MANDATORY RECORDING OF VISITORS in effect now.
Cross Valley Connection Announcement
The NZTA Board have endorsed the Cross Valley Connections Programme Business Case otherwise known as the Cross Valley Link.
The Cross Valley Link has been talked about since the 1960s and is a critical project for decongesting the Hutt, improving public transport, taking trucks off the Esplanade, and improving walking and cycling.
The current business case for the Cross Valley Link notes that the conventional Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) for the programme is 3.6. Once wider economic benefits are taken into account, the BCR increases to 5.3. These are outstanding numbers. In other words, for every $1 invested, the return is over $3.
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.
We will bring further updates as they are announced.
Employment Opportunities
Our Employment Coordinator, Andrew Dunne, has been busy catching up with over 30 prospective employers and has upwards of 20 vacancies that he is working to fill. Andrew joined the team just before lockdown but is eager to get stuck in and start to connect employers and candidates looking for work. His primary focus is on 25-35 year old's.
Andrew is also coordinating our next Employment Expo taking place late October at NZCIS. NZCIS have generously supported the initiative by providing a venue and hospitality. The Expo will host over 25 businesses who are actively seeking permanent employees and 80 – 100 young people looking for opportunities. The Expo was held last year at Open Polytechnic and had great feedback and resulted in some great Industry engagement.
This is a completely free service, so if you have any opportunities for employment within your business that Andrew would be able to assist with or would like more information on his role, Andrew would be eager to hear from you.
To contact Andrew please email him or call the Chamber on (04) 939 9821.
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.
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.
Meet Newstalk ZB Presenter, Nick Mills
Cancelled Due To Covid 19 Restrictions
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.
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.
RiverLink Update
Two weeks ago, we ran a session with RiverLink Project Director, Tom Newson and the RiverLink project partners to give an overview of the project. Consent was lodged with submissions closing Wednesday, 22nd September 2021.
Last week we hosted Sarah Jenkin, a Senior Planner from GHD, who explained the process for consent and offered advice on how to make a submission. This video and all of the information was updated on our website. To register for updates on the RiverLink project visit our website.
Full up to date information can be viewed at RiverLink.
Current Student Vacancies
We have a number of new vacancies on our website. These positions are suitable for students or school leavers.
It was very good news for our hospitality businesses to see restrictions lifted from 50 to 100 people this week.
Get out and support them this week - every dollar spent locally helps them and helps us all.
Huge thanks to all our Members and Partners for supporting us as we keep you all informed navigating these COVID-19 times. Keep an eye on our events page for more opportunities to meet up in person.
- Mark Skelly and the Chamber Team
Thank you to all our Partners
As always, special thanks to all our Members and Partners for your ongoing support.
