Kia Ora , 

I often talk about the amazing business community we have here in the Hutt Valley, the innovation happening every day, the world-class products that our businesses create and produce, and the service excellence that is provided by you all.

But behind all of this service, innovation, creation, and production are people. None of this would happen without you, the people and business leaders in the Hutt Valley community.

I am lucky that I often get to hear inspiring stories of the people behind all of this successful work. Our events are a chance for you to hear from successful people with stories about their business and their journey to success.

Next week, on the 21^st of June, there is the chance to hear about three successful and inspiring women from our community at our Women In Business event. We have a brilliant line up of:

• Megan Compain | Founder of EightyOneX | Former Basketball player, double Olympian
• Celest Skachill | Founder and Creative Director of StudioC Design
• Viv d’Or | Employment Lawyer Founder and Managing Solicitor of Resolve! Legal | Founder of We Love Tradies HR

I encourage you to come along and hear their stories. You can register here.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• RiverLink Updates

• Preparing the Hutt Valley Rangatahi for their future in infrastructure and construction

• Regional News

• Upper Hutt City Council Free Workshops in June 

• National Updates

• Key Issues for New Zealanders

• Featured Events

• Business After Five with Smarketing Lab |  Breath New Ideas Into Your Business

• Get Your Meetings Off The Ground and Make Your Meetings Fly: Meaningful Meetings

• Plus many more

• Past Events: A Celebration and Appreciation

• Sebel Hotel Opening
• The Hutt Valley Pathway to Employment Expo

• Partner & Member News 

• Civic Awards 2023

• Member Offers 

• 2degrees

• Commercial Deals for Chamber Members – Check them out

• Alzheimer's NZ Challenges Kiwis to Get Creative for a Cause

• Partner with IYM and sponsor a student to attend IYM Residential 2023!

• Employment Opportunities

• Are You Hiring?

RIVERLINK UPDATES

Preparing the Hutt Valley Rangatahi for their future in infrastructure and construction

It is estimated that when RiverLink gets underway later this year, there will be up to 800 people working on the project daily. Te Ara Tupua and the many Water related projects we have in our region will also require people to undertake the many different jobs these projects will create.

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce is working with our schools to help prepare our rangatahi to make the most of this opportunity and help them discover, explore, connect to and experience what their future could be in the many projects in our region.

In partnership with our schools and UCOL, as part of Te Pūkenga, we offer up to 24 rangatahi a 40-credit NZ Certificate in Infrastructure Works Level 2. This programme is being supported by Fulton Hogan and the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and is part of UCOL’s Trades Academy programme.

This course will teach learners how to work safely on sites and within a team environment. It forms a great starting point for a career in infrastructure and construction.

The course will run from 17^th July to end of November 2023. It will be held each week, on Monday and Tuesday. The course will be based at Fulton Hogan’s purpose-built training facility in Featherston, with students transported from Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, via minivan. They can accept students who are currently in Year 11/12/13 on this programme.

If you know of a student that might be a great fit for this exciting study and experience, please get in touch with Amanda Walters at amanda@hvchamber.org.nz

Regional Updates

Upper Hutt City Council Free Workshop in July 

Heartbeat Community CPR/AED Training

Join Rachel Evans, Senior Heartbeat Coordinator from Wellington Free Ambulance, for the highly anticipated Heartbeat Community CPR/AED Training.  These training sessions are completely free of charge, thanks to the Lloyd Morrison Foundation.

Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Being prepared and equipped with life-saving skills is crucial in those critical moments. These FREE training sessions will provide you and your team hands-on training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) usage.

Places are limited for each of the four sessions, so click on the button below to register now

Date: 24 July
Time: either 10:30AM - 12.00PM or 6.00PM - 7.30PM
Location: Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club

National Updates

Key Issues for New Zealanders

The IPSOS New Zealand Issues Monitor keeps a close watch on the concerns of New Zealanders and identifies the specific groups of people affected by each worry. It shows the things New Zealanders are most worried about are:

• Inflation/cost of living remains the most important issue for New Zealanders.
• Concern about crime/law & order rose significantly to a record high level, with 40% of New Zealanders identifying it as a top issue.
• Housing/cost of housing remains a key area of concern and is the third-equal highest issue for New Zealanders currently, alongside healthcare/hospitals
• Climate change remains a top-5 issue despite a significant decrease in the proportion of New Zealanders identifying it as an important issue.

You can read the full report here.

Featured Events

Past Events: A Celebration and Appreciation

Sebel Hotel Opening 

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us on the 7th of June at the Sebel Hotel & Grazie Restaurant drop-in event!  It was great to see our beloved chamber members and the local community coming together to support these amazing new additions to Lower Hutt.

We are thrilled to announce the winners of the one-night stay at the Sebel Hotel: Congratulations Loren Glover and Brian Christensen! 

We're grateful to the Sebel Hotel for providing the opportunity to view their exceptional accommodation facilities. We hope you enjoyed the hospitality and delicious food provided - We can't wait to see how these establishments enrich our vibrant community! 

Hutt Valley Pathway to Employment Expo

A big round of APPLAUSE and THANKS to everyone who made the Hutt Valley Pathways to Employment Expo an unforgettable experience!

Our local Hutt Valley students now have a richer understanding of the job opportunities in Hutt Valley, thanks to you. You've brilliantly showcased the high-demand industries and the necessary skills for success.

A special shout-out to Amanda Walters, our Education to Employment Coordinator, who coordinated this phenomenal event alongside local Hutt Valley schools. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off.

Together, we've shattered stereotypes and inspired our young rangatahi to look at their futures in exciting new ways.

Your support is what fuels these initiatives. Thank you once again, and let's keep up this great work!

Partner & Member News 

Civic Awards 2023

It’s that time of year when the Hutt City Council recognises some of the outstanding volunteers in our community.
 
Over the coming weeks, please find the time to nominate someone you know for a Civic Award.
 
You can make a nomination or find out more information on the Hutt City Council Website or at one of the Neighbourhood Hubs (including libraries). Nominations close at 5 pm Sunday, 18 June.

Member Offers

2degrees Chamber of Commerce Offer 

As a Chamber member, you’ll get 4 months free and 10% off for the life of your plan when you sign up for a 36-month Fibre plan

Chat to one of the 2degrees team or visit 2degrees.nz/NZChamber

Commercial Deals for Chamber Members – Check them out

Chamber Members can receive exclusive access to Commercial deals through Noel Leeming Commercial.  To speak to an Account Manager at Noel Leeming who can help explore what your B2B needs and purchasing in bulk for business is contact through this link: Contact Us | Noel Leeming Commercial (nlgcommercial.nz)

Noel Leeming currently has a commercial deal running from now until 8th June where you can get access to exclusive Panasonic deals. Save on TV's, Refrigerators, Vacuum Cleaners, Washer/Dryers and Microwaves! 

Here are just a couple of examples

Partner with IYM and sponsor a student to attend IYM Residential 2023!

Every year local businesses partner with Innovative Young Minds Charitable Trust (IYM) and sponsor a student to attend IYM's six-day Residential Programme, IYM Residential.

Taking place from 3 – 8 July this year, IYM Residential exposes young women to many career and study opportunities in STEMM in the most engaging and hands-on way possible. Participants stay together at Silverstream Retreat and visit a wide variety of science and technology businesses, Crown Research Institutes and tertiary education providers in the region where they experience hands-on science and technology activities and hear from women who have built careers in the sector.

Sponsorship enables us to keep costs to participants to a minimum, ensuring that our programme is accessible to any young women who would like to attend.

To find out more information, you can view the Sponsorship PDF Here. 
 

Alzheimer's NZ Challenges Kiwis to Get Creative for a Cause

Alzheimer's NZ is launching Create for Dementia, a fundraising challenge for creative Kiwis. From the 1st to the 30th of June, participants can set artistic goals and raise funds to support Alzheimer's New Zealand's efforts in education, research, and support for families affected by dementia. By engaging in creative activities, participants contribute to a good cause, improve their brain health, and reduce the risk of developing dementia. Join Create for Dementia and make a difference through art! Creator registrations are now open.

Want More Member Offers?

To see a list of our member's offers visit our Members Marketplace on our website here or check out our Hutt Valley Chamber App to see a list of all the deals we have on offer for Chamber members.

You can download our Hutt Valley Chamber App from the Apple App Store here and the Google Play Store here. Please get in touch with Patrick patrick@hvchamber.org.nz for account instructions or questions.

EMPLOYMENT

Are You Hiring?

If you have a job suitable for a student get in touch with our Education to Employment Coordinator Amanda Walters at  amanda@hvchamber.org.nz or call 049399821.

Thank you to all our Partners

As always, special thanks to all our Members and Partners for your ongoing support.