Kia Ora , 

Being a member of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce has many advantages. If I had to select what I believe makes the most difference, it would be the opportunity to build your network, meet new people and develop relationships that can result in new customers. 

Being an active networker can:

• Build your connections – these can lead to partnerships, collaborations, and business opportunities.
• Build your knowledge – they say knowledge is power. Attending events gives you an opportunity to learn from experts, gain insights into industry trends, and stay updated with relevant information.
• Increase your visibility – participation in networking can enhance the visibility and credibility of you and your business.
• Contribute your views – your voice in the range of challenges and issues affecting the Hutt Valley are important.
• Engaging in your community – many people live and work in the Hutt Valley community. Building relationships and participating in the community can have long-term benefits for your business's reputation and customer loyalty.

Overall, networking at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce can offer numerous advantages, ranging from business growth and increased visibility to learning opportunities and community involvement.

We have some great upcoming events that can help with your network. They include:

• Cyber Security Supply Chain Attacks: The Impact They Can Have on Your Business – Register here
• Business After 5| Business Sales and Marketing Implementation - Smarketing Lab – Register here
• Meaningful Meetings - Presented by Jussi Luukkonen – Register here
• Women in Business | Navigating a career change to fulfill your passions – Register here      
• Business After 5 | Economic Outlook in an Uncertain World – Register here
• Digital Workshop | Success in Social Marketing | Synthesis Marketing - Register here

If you are reading this and are not a member, then email me for a conversation at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz. Memberships and opportunities to build your business start at only $25 per month.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• RiverLink Updates

• RiverLink and Te Ara Tupua

• Regional News

• Upper Hutt City Council Free Workshops in June 

• Experience the future of manufacturing by immersing yourself in the Virtual Nautech Smart Factory Tour; on 14^th June.

• Industry4 Demonstration Network Factory Tour – Myriad Engineering; 14^th June 1:30pm – 3:30pm

• Partner & Member News 

• The creative sector is buzzing in the Hutt Valley

• Unlocking Growth Potential: Little Bread Loaf's Journey to Expand its Team Amid Skilled Labor Shortage

• Hurricanes are still in with a chance, thanks to 2degrees and support from Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members.

• Featured Events

• Sebel Hotel Opening, Lower Hutt | Exclusive Business Tours

• How to prevent your business from being Cyber Attacked

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

• Plus many more

• More Events & Workshops

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

• Plus many more 

• New Members Welcome

• New Chamber Members in May

• 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

RiverLink and Te Ara Tupua

There are two significant projects underway in the Hutt Valley. They are RiverLink and Te Ara Tupua, and they will both create jobs and significant opportunities in our community. But what are they? Here is a video explaining what they are all about.

Regional Updates

Upper Hutt City Council Free Workshops in June 

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

Growing and Managing Great Teams of Volunteers

Calling all community groups and not-for-profit organisations! 

Join Kim Jansen from Volunteer Wellington Te Puna Tautoko as she presents a dynamic workshop on “Growing and Managing Great Teams of Volunteers”.

 Explore topics such as setting up a strong foundation before recruiting volunteers, ensuring a perfect fit between your organisation and potential volunteers, understanding the difference between recognition and appreciation, and uncovering what it truly means to be part of a team as a volunteer.

Places are limited to 30 participants, so register today. We are asking for each organisation to send only one attendee so as to make this workshop accessible to many in our community.

Date: 21 June 2023 
Time: 06.00PM to 07.30PM
Location: Central Library, Upper Hutt

Partner & Member News 

The creative sector is buzzing in the Hutt Valley

At the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, we talk a lot about our manufacturing, science and innovation sector. We also have an amazing creative sector that supports many businesses in our region and across Aotearoa to market their products and services through online, video and physical products.

Just some of the fantastic talent we have includes:

• Synthesis Marketing – they combine strategy, digital marketing, traditional marketing, and sales to create the business growth and recognition you are looking for.
• Lane Street Studios – the biggest and most up-to-date film studio in all of Aotearoa.
• Clarative Media - a Hutt Valley-based creative film and video production company.
• HOWIE - experts in creative production, delivering video, photo, and copywriting projects that speak to people.
• Excio Image Library – they are the first community-driven image library that serves those who appreciate fresh, high-quality photographs.
• Smarketing – they are set to disrupt the sales and marketing industry with their innovative B2B 4R's Sales and Marketing Framework.
• Obvious Brand Partners -  is a design + marketing agency that helps brands stand out from the noise.

I had the opportunity to visit another of our fabulous creative sector businesses last week when I visited BASELINE NZ. They are an integrated design and production studio and do the most amazing work. They sent me an example of their work the previous week to peek my interest. I can only say this gift was beautiful, and they produced every little piece of it. You judge for yourself in the photos below.

We really do celebrate their work and their contribution to the Hutt Valley. You can too. Get in touch with them today.

Unlocking Growth Potential: Little Bread Loaf's Journey to Expand its Team Amid Skilled Labor Shortage

Little Bread Loaf, a local business and member of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, tackled its skilled workforce shortage by emphasising the importance of a long-term recruitment strategy.

The bakery aspires to expand by 25% within the next nine months and become an employer of choice. To achieve this vision, three additional team members are required. Recognising the common pitfall of short-term recruitment without considering long-term benefits and drawbacks, Little Bread Loaf emphasises the significance of its staff as both the greatest cost and the most valuable asset. 

To ensure a safe and compliant work environment, Little Bread Loaf sought the assistance of Employsure New Zealand, a trusted partner of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. This collaboration ensures the bakery and its team feel safe, protected, and supported through best practices.

This collaboration highlights the Chamber's commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships among Hutt Valley companies and aiding business growth journeys throughout the Hutt Valley. 

Hurricanes Win thanks to 2degrees and support from Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members.

It has been awesome to have the support of 2degrees at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. They were a lead sponsor of the 2degrees Wellington Region Business Excellence Awards in 2022 and will be again in 2023. 

Throughout the season, they have also provided tickets to the home games of the Hurricanes Super Rugby team. Some of our members have attended the games and had a great time.

The Hurricanes, who are a Chamber member, still have a good shot of winning the Super Rugby title in 2023, particularly if they play as they did in the second half against the Crusaders on Saturday night. It looks like all the training at the New Zealand Campus for Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt, another Chamber Member, is paying off.

Chamber member Blair Morgan from GO Air Land Sea Logistics certainly backed his home team. Thanks to the team at 2degrees, he won a Hurricanes jersey for picking the right score.
 

Featured Events

More Events & Workshops

Benefits of being a Living Wage Employer

The Living Wage Movement and the Hutt City Council would like to invite you to come and learn about the Living Wage and hear from accredited employers.

The Living Wage Movement offers an Employer accreditation process that allows using the Living Wage Employer logo and calling themselves a 'Living Wage Employer'.​

When: Thursday 15 June
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lvl 3, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt
Price: No Cost

Connect to your next generation of engineering talent

Summer of Engineering has keen, capable tertiary students and graduates who are highly motivated to kick-start their careers with you. 

Come and hear how current students and new graduates can benefit your business. These students can deliver new ideas and fresh perspectives to your organisation. You may not need to wait till summer, with some of our students available to help you now!

 
Who are the students?
Students and recent graduates from tertiary institutions across Aotearoa, New Zealand, from first-year students to PhD level and up to two years after completing their study. The engineering students include the following areas of study:
•    Mechanical engineering
•    Electrical and electronic engineering
•    Mechatronics (a combination of mechanical and electrical engineering)
•    Computer systems and software engineering
•    Chemical and process engineering

 
Why engage with Summer of Engineering?
You’ll be doing your bit to grow and retain our local talent pipeline while our interns provide immediate benefits to your manufacturing, engineering or tech business.
 
Garry Peek from Peek Robotics, will share insights into how they're growing their team and business with quality engineering interns.

Drinks and Nibbles will be provided by WellingtonNZ.

When – Tuesday 13th June.
Time – 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Where - Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, L3, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt.
    

Don’t delay in registering for this event today. 

New Members Welcome

A Big Welcome to our Members who joined recently

At the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, we believe in the power of collaboration and the strength of a supportive business community. We are thrilled to warmly welcome our new members, who joined us recently. 

Platform 1: Platform 1 works with business owners looking to improve their wealth and lifestyle and who are open to introducing new capabilities and equity to grow their business and provide an exit option. Learn More

Elysian Foods: Elysian Foods is a small, family-run business based in Lower Hutt. We produce Mediterranean dips & delights in small, handcrafted batches and source fresh, local ingredients wherever possible! Learn More

Graley Plastics + Laser Cutting: If you are looking for a plastic fabricator to bring your unique items to life, your search ends with Graley Plastics. Their unparalleled expertise in laser cutting is at your disposal to custom-design items to perfection. They can cut and engrave a long list of materials, giving you plenty of choices to find the right one for your needs. Learn More

Next Steps Coaching: Next Steps Coaching is an Upper Hutt-based human resource consulting business that offers boutique, high-impact leadership, performance, talent mobility, career and career transition coaching. Learn More

East By West Ferries:  East By West Ferries operates services daily between Queens Wharf, Days Bay, Matiu/Somes Island and Seatoun. The weekend Harbour Explorer sailing also goes to Petone. East by West also have a wide range of cruises available so if you are looking for a unique corporate or private function venue. Learn More

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.