Kia Ora , 

Over the last few weeks we have been asking businesses to complete our quarterly Quick Business Confidence Survey. The results of this survey are now complete. The key findings are:

• There is a continuing ‘Cost of doing business crisis’. Over 85% of businesses are expecting that the cost of doing business will be ‘Much More or Somewhat More’ expensive over the next 6 months.
• For the first time in about 2 years, we have seen a slowdown in the immediate need for staff with only 38.1% of businesses saying that they are experiencing issues with filling staff vacancies in their business.
• Businesses have been planning ahead - Planning is key for any business and it would appear that planning ahead has been a key activity for Hutt Valley businesses with 84.2% of businesses having planned and already factored the change in economic situation to their business decisions or have made no change to their approach to their business planning.

There are some factors which are a continued trend from previous surveys. These include:

• 61.9% of businesses indicated that they are you expecting to need to recruit staff in the next 12 months
• There is a continued business sentiment for ‘their business’ in the 3-month and 12-month outlook with businesses expecting that things will be 17.7% and 8.62% ‘Somewhat Better or Much Better’ respectively.

You can read the full survey results here

Our member Forsyth Barr are also conducting their Pulse of NZ Business Survey. If you would like to complete this please refer to the article below for the survey link

Forsyth Barr | Pulse of NZ Business Survey

The business environment is ever changing. Most data covering the economic cycle is historic. At Forsyth Barr we’re always curious as to key economic drivers and the influence they have on the business community. Reliable and timely data is critical to our approach to investing. As a result we are conduct the second iteration of our Forsyth Barr's Pulse of NZ Business Survey, which we'd love you to participate in using the link below. It’s a simple survey that should take no more than three minutes of your time. We intend to undertake the survey on an ongoing basis to monitor the business pulse of New Zealand by posing a number of critical questions directed at the business that you work for, or are primarily connected to either as an owner, director, employee, contractor or have some other relationship with. 

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBPulseSurveyJul23

We intend to publish the key results from the survey in a future research report, which we will send to you when its released. You can also get access to instant results from the survey once you complete it. Survey responses will be anonymous. 

As a modest incentive to undertake the survey after completing it you will have the chance to win one of two magnums of the delightful Craggy Range Sophia.

We appreciate your interest in our survey. 

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi / RiverLink Updates

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Presenting Riverlink) | Update

• Walkway Closure

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Presenting Riverlink) | Walkabout

• Regional Updates

• Matariki Celebrations 

• National Updates

• Celebrating NZ's Landmark Trade Agreement with EU

• Featured Events

• Digital Workshop | Success in Social Marketing Upper Hutt | Synthesis Marketing

• BNZ Technology & Innovation Series | Wool, Aircraft, & Measurement

• Plus many more

• New Member Welcome

• A Big Welcome to our Members who joined recently

• Member Offers

• NZME | Grow Your Business With Us

• Hot Chocolate Take-Home Kits

• Save up to $2,000 on Mitsubishi Triton

• Noel Leeming – Friends and Family event

• Employment Opportunities

• Labourer with the Sports Turf Construction Team |Mexted Sports Turf

• Are You Hiring?

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Presenting Riverlink) | Update

Join us for an update on the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Delivering Riverlink) project from the Project Director and the wider project team. 

This session will introduce the business community to some of the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi project Alliance team, understand the opportunities and challenges the project will present for local businesses, and provide a forum for any questions you might have.

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi is a transformational project including:

Crucial flood protection work, Hutt City Centre urban revitalisation, and Melling transport improvements. 
Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi will make Lower Hutt more resilient, connected, and vibrant.
Refreshments will be provided.

Event Information

WHEN | Wednesday, 26 July 2023
TIME | 8:00am - 9:00am
WHERE | Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt
COST | This is a free session

Walkway Closure

To prepare the land for more project improvements, three buildings and the adjacent areas along Daly Street have been purchased and will be dismantled over the following months. 

Building destruction will follow asbestos removal during the initial phase of the project. It will take 24 weeks to finish this. 

Please take note that the impacted walkway is the one that runs between Dudley Street and Daly Street. During various phases of the work, there may also be brief car park closures and other temporary interruptions, although these will be carefully controlled and kept to a minimum.  

For the latest information on the project, please visit: www.teawakairangi.co.nz

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Presenting Riverlink) | Walkabout

The Hutt Valley turned on a beautiful still sunny day for the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi walk around organised by Greater Wellington last week. 

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi has been in planning for a long time and is now moving to building removal, finalising design, and early works. It was a great day to walk and talk about what will unfold over the next few years.
 

Regional Updates

Matariki Celebrations 

As Matariki rises, marking the beginning of the Māori New Year, it's a time for reflection, celebration, and anticipation in our community. Each of the stars in the Matariki cluster, also known as Ngā Mata o te Ariki Tāwhirimātea, brings unique stories and values that mirror our diverse businesses in the Hutt Valley.

This weekend, we're celebrating Matariki, the Māori New Year. This special time is all about fun, family, and sharing stories.

Our Hutt Valley will be full of Matariki events. You can make your own lantern, watch Tamariki Kapahaka, look at the stars, and eat yummy traditional Hāngī. It's going to be a great time for everyone. So come along and enjoy the Matariki festivities!

National Updates

Celebrating NZ's Landmark Trade Agreement with EU

Following more than a decade of negotiations, New Zealand has inked a groundbreaking Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. This significant development is forecasted to transform our trade landscape.

With the agreement in effect, over 91% of tariffs will be removed, resulting in an anticipated surge in annual export earnings by more than $600 million. This presents an incredible opportunity for many industries, including our horticulture and manufactured goods sectors, which will see immediate tariff elimination.

There are undoubtedly challenges ahead, particularly for our meat industry, but there are also immense possibilities. Our Chamber stands committed to assisting you in navigating these changes to seize the opportunities this historic agreement offers.

Featured Events

New Members Welcome

A Big Welcome to our Members who joined in June!

Welcome to our Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce community! We're delighted to introduce our newest members, bringing their unique services and perspectives to our thriving network:

Home + Interiors Show: Discover the latest in home renovation and interior design trends, products, and expert advice. Learn More

Davy Tyres: Ensuring your journeys are safe with quality tire services for all vehicles. Learn More

Techtime Initiative: Techtime provides worldwide support, maintenance, and custom development services from New Zealand and Australia Learn More

Brendan Foot Supersite: Your one-stop shop for new and used vehicles, flexible financing options, and expert servicing. Learn More

UDC Finance: Growing your business with competitive finance and leasing solutions. Learn More

DJ Gas Works and Plumbing: Covering all your gas and plumbing needs with a focus on quality and safety. Learn More

Member Offers

NZME | Grow Your Business With Us

Boost your business with NZME Advertising: Achieve broader reach, enhanced brand exposure, and benefit from industry expertise for transformative outcomes.

Final Week | Hot Chocolate Take Home Kits 

The Sweet As Hutt’s Hot Chocolate Challenge is being held from Thursday 29th June until 16 July with 21 central Lower Hutt cafes participating.  Goody Goodness at 179 High Street, Hutt Central, is getting into the spirit of the event by offering "Hot Chocolate Take Home Kits" - a choice of pre-curated boxes or build your own!  

For only $29.95 for 2 x edible chocolate flavoured cups, 2 x hot chocolate domes, and 2 x Molly Woppy Biscuits, it’s great value as well as a fun experience during these cooler days.  There is also a dairy-free option available. 

Please email hello@goodies.nz to order - or visit their shop at 179 High Street Tuesday-Saturday.  

Save up to $2,000 on Mitsubishi Triton

You could be driving away one of NZ’s most popular workhorses, the mighty Mitsubishi Triton, from only $39,990 + ORC + CCF. If you’re thinking of upgrading your ute or need to expand your fleet, now’s the time to get the best price across the Triton range with the Mitsubishi Beast Runout. Ask Gary Calcott, Fleet Specialist, at Brendan Foot Supersite for more info. View and test drive the Triton range at Railway Ave, Lower Hutt – open every day. 

Noel Leeming – Friends and Family event

We are thrilled to announce that the Noel Leeming Friends and Family event will be taking place from July 3rd to July 16th.

This exclusive event offers incredible discounts for Hutt Chamber members.

To receive the specials all you have to do is present the attached flyer instore (either a hard copy or on your smartphone) at the time of purchase or event code entered online at time of checkout.

EMPLOYMENT

Labourer with the Sports Turf Construction Team |Mexted Sports Turf

This team works at council parks, the stadium, Basin Reserve and other venues, building, draining and renovating sports fields. Position available for someone who’d like to get into the Sports Turf Construction industry.

Initially, it would be as part of the team, providing support with general labouring and quickly moving on to operating dumpers and diggers.

They would be supported to achieve their Class 2 licence when possible, and then they’d also be driving small trucks, moving plant and equipment etc. Over time this could lead to a sports turf operator role driving tractors etc.

If you are interested, contact Shane at: shane@mexteds.co.nz or to find out more, call 027 442 0084.

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.