Kia Ora , 

Hold your horses! This isn't the Melbourne Cup, but it's undoubtedly filled with even more thrills and anticipation. Last year we saw nearly 100 contestants at the starting line, but this isn't a horse race.

The exciting 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards kicked off entries on Monday, and we're thrilled to report that eager contestants are already submitting their entries at a galloping pace.

This year we have added a couple of new categories and simplified the entry process. While we still require vital details to evaluate each entry fairly, we've ensured the process will be as swift and smooth as a thoroughbred's stride.

We have a great range of categories that will give your business an opportunity to not only celebrate your business achievements but your people too.

For the 2023 awards, there are six business categories, including:

•    Excellence in Manufacturing,
•    Excellence in Technology and Innovation,
•    Excellence in Hospitality, Tourism and Retail,
•    Excellence in Service and Support,
•    Excellence in Construction, Trades and Infrastructure,
•    Excellence in Logistics and Trade.

And four Special award categories:

•    Young Business Person,
•    Excellence in Sustainability and Environmental Practices,
•    Small Business,
•    Diversity and Inclusion

“Enter; You won't regret it. The process is very rewarding and a great way to self-evaluate the business, why you do what you do, and how your business is performing.” - Danielle Connole - Cameron Harrison 2022 Supreme Winner

A Huge Thank you to our sponsors:

Business Confidence Survey

Please help us by answering this 2-minute Business Survey.

With businesses continuing to go through challenging and changing times, your responses to this survey help us build a picture of what our business community is experiencing.

We truly appreciate you taking the time to give us your valuable feedback. If there are topics not covered in this survey that you feel the Chamber could support on, please reach out to me directly at any time via email to patrick@hvchamber.org.nz 

The Business Confidence Survey is sponsored by Red Hot Business Coaching & Consulting. Red Hot helps business owners get their lives back. If you require specific 1:1 business support, find out more at www.redhot.co.nz.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi / RiverLink Updates

•  Walk Around

• Demolition works underway

• National Updates

• Taking on the world: Ambitious Leaders making their mark

• Hanga-Aro-Rau release their Operational Plan for the 2023-24 year.

• Featured Events

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

• Plus many more

• Member News

• It’s Party Time at Hewsons Office Products Depot!

• Intelligensia 2nd Birthday

• First construction and infrastructure summit coming

• Member Offers

• Hot Chocolate Take-Home Kits

• Save up to $2,000 on Mitsubishi Triton

• Noel Leeming – Friends and Family event

• Torpedo 7 Winter Friends and Family Sale

• Wairarapa Business Summit

• Employment Opportunities

• Business Development - Sales | Jolly Billboards

• Trainee Sports Turf Assistant | New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport

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

• Are You Hiring?

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi / RiverLink – Walk Around

Come and have a walk around the RiverLink project with Greater Wellington Council and hear what is happening.

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi has been in planning for a long time. The project is now moving to building removal, finalising design, and early works, so now is a good time to walk and talk about what will unfold over the next few years, including the likely disruption to access and transport during construction. 

Event Information
WHEN | Friday, 7 July 2023 
TIME | 10am - 12pm
WHERE | On the street in the vicinity of Little Footprints Care & Education, 84 Pharazyn Street, Melling
ROUTE | A loop from 84 Pharazyn Street heading south across Ewen Bridge along the stopbank past Daly Street, Harvey Norman, across Melling Bridge and back to 84 Pharazyn Street. 

Demolition works underway for Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi / RiverLink project

After many years of planning, work is about to begin on the demolition and removal of properties on both sides of Te Awa Kairangi (Hutt River) in preparation for the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi / RiverLink project getting underway later this year. 

On the western side of the river, work is about to begin demolishing and removing more than 100 properties in Melling, purchased by the regional council to free up land required for RiverLink. Some houses have been removed for refurbishment, and others will be demolished once all useable material has been recycled.

This week, Alongside Daly Street, the Hutt City Council contractors erected fencing and have started erecting scaffolding in advance of the asbestos removal and demolition before the end of 2023. 

National Updates

Taking on the world: Ambitious Leaders making their mark

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise supports the ambition and success of New Zealanders taking their products and services to the world. Succeeding on a global stage requires courage, tenacity and ambition – whether in business or sport.

On Thursday, 27th July, they are showcasing ambitious leaders who are making their mark in the worlds of sport and business to celebrate their unique achievements.

You’ll hear inside stories of how they pushed the boundaries, took risks, and forged their own paths to success.
From the women shaping and growing our national sport in Aotearoa and abroad to those leading in business on a global stage, it’ll be a truly inspirational event.                  

Hanga-Aro-Rau release their Operational Plan for the 2023-24 year.

The Workforce Development Council for the Manufacturing, Engineering and Logistics industries, Hanga-Aro-Rau, have released their operational plan for the 2023-24 year. 

Some of the key priorities for the coming year are:

•    Manini waka | Improve connections and collaboration across the vocational education ecosystem to improve workforce development for industry and employers
•    Tere waka | Improve opportunities for all, specifically Māori, Pacific Peoples, Tāngata whaikaha (disabled people), and women to move into higher skilled work
•    Tere ki tai | Increase opportunities to create a sustainable workforce by contributing to improved knowledge transfer in the workplace
•    Tai ki tai | Improve attraction, retention rates and increase new hires into the manufacturing, engineering, and logistics industries through targeted collaborative initiatives
•    Tere ki uta| Improve future skills development for the manufacturing, engineering and logistics workforce through collaboration across the Hanga-Aro-Rau ecosystem.
•    Hiki hikitia | Broaden our understanding of the future of manufacturing, engineering, and logistics industries to support targeted workforce development.

Featured Events

Member News

It’s Party Time at Hewsons Office Products Depot!

Established on July 3, 1983, tucked away in Dudley Street for the last 40 years, Pauline and Allan Hewson are celebrating this milestone birthday. Having been a part of the Hutt Valley business community, delivering products and services of their extensive range to wonderful customers.

Over the years, the Company has expanded from being a dedicated business to business stationery supplier, to having full website integration to fulfil customer orders and move in an agile way in which they saw businesses requirements change.

There has also been an expansion of the Hewsons team, opening a second location at 28 Victoria Street, Petone.  This is home to our commercial furniture showroom and houses our bulk products including hygiene, packaging and cafeteria products.

The Furniture showroom – a design and inspiration space for customers - is a key element to the business, and proudly celebrates its ability to deliver custom design and layout with furniture for your office, meeting rooms, kitchens, and reception areas to name a few.  

Allan and Pauline would like to make special mention of their dedicated, knowledgeable and go the extra mile staff members who work diligently to deliver exceptional service to our customers.

The loyal support of the Hutt Valley/Wellington businesses, schools and communities have kept the Hewsons OPD team at the forefront of delivering what you need, where you need it and expanded them to cover throughout New Zealand.

The Hewsons OPD team would like to invite you to celebrate with them and a few key industry suppliers at their Petone showroom on July 20, 2023, and be part of the festivities. 
 

Intelligensia 2nd Birthday

Our member, Intelligensia, is celebrating their two-year anniversary, and what a phenomenal journey it has been!

Two years ago, Intelligensia was conceived in the brilliant mind of Jan, following an impressive tenure at the National Cyber Security Centre. Wendy soon joined the ranks, and together, they embarked on an incredible journey. Fast forward to today, Intelligensia is a force to be reckoned with in the cybersecurity and IT arenas. With a robust team of six members, each endowed with a wealth of knowledge and experience, they've certainly become a pillar in our business community.

As we celebrate this milestone, we at the Chamber wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Intelligensia team.

Here's to many more successful years, Intelligensia! 

First construction and infrastructure summit coming

“Thriving People, Thriving Industry” is the theme of the first Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Summit scheduled for Wellington on 6 September.

The one-day event is a joint effort of Waihanga Ara Rau, the Construction and Infrastructure WDC, and the Construction Sector Accord, and its kaupapa is represented by the whakatauki:

Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro nōna te ngāhere.
Ko te manu e kai ana i te mātauranga nōna te ao.

The bird that consumes the miro berry owns the forest.
The bird that consumes knowledge owns the world.

It will feature thought leaders and changemakers from across the industry who will share examples of best practice, development of tools, lessons, insights and tips on areas such as attracting and retaining the right talent, building a skilled workforce for the future, and harnessing the power of diversity, well-being, and culture to drive productivity.

The event will be rounded off by the Construction Sector Accord’s Beacons awards. These showcase on good practice in the sector for others to learn from.

Member Offers

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.

Torpedo 7 Winter Friends and Family Sale

Get ready for exclusive savings during our Winter "Friends and Family" sale starting on the 28^th of June! Share the joy with your team and loved ones by accessing our unbeatable commercial pricing on all our products. Upgrade your gear from work essentials to recreational gear with up to 50% off on our Torpedo7 branded items. Don't miss this chance to score big on cost-plus deals! Check out the attached flier and spread the word to everyone you know. For more information, reach out to us directly. Happy shopping!

The Deal: Save up to 50% off
Valid Dates: 28th June – 11th July 2023

How to redeem:
In-store|Show the attached flyer. 
Online | See the promo code on flyer to use at the online checkout
Terms and Conditions: Discounts are off RRP. If the product is already on promotion customer will receive the lower offer or promo pricing. Not all products are eligible for a discount. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.Excludes Electronics, Freight, Gift Cards and Workshop Services.
 

Wairarapa Business Summit

•    The day includes fast-paced workshops to equip your business with real and tangible tools
•    Barista Coffee and a Food truck lunch 
•    See Full Summit and Agenda HERE
•    To access member pricing  (saving $70) go to the ticketing page HERE
•    Use the code MEM23 > Update > and your discount should show
 

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 at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz for account instructions or questions.

EMPLOYMENT

Trainee Sports Turf Assistant | New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport

Are you fit, energetic and enthusiastic about being part of the best sporting facility in New Zealand? 

The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport are looking for someone to join their team of qualified turf experts to assist in the maintenance and upkeep of the sports turfs and wider campus grounds at the NZ Campus for Innovation & Sport (NZCIS).  

This is an apprentice role where you will be offered the chance to become a qualified turf expert and work with the awesome team at NZCIS & the Gillies Group, where passion is to provide world-class facilities for use by elite sports athletes and teams through to local and community sporting groups.  

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.