Maraenuku Pā site of significance 

North of the Melling Bridge and within the construction area of the Mills Street stopbank is Maraenuku Pā. The pā (settlement) is an area of cultural significance to Mana Whenua and was located on the bank of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River, in the vicinity of the electricity substation on Connolly St.

It was established in the period prior to colonisation but was later demolished in the Battle of Boulcott in 1846. While no trace of the pā remains today, the mana associated with the area and the history of Maraenuku Pā does, and it is something we can share with the people of Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt. Chair of the Mana Whenua Steering Group and representing Te Āti Awa Taranaki Whānui, Lee Hunter said: “It’s important we recognise the history of this area and the significance of Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River. It’s a taonga and treasured ancestral river, central to the life of Māori and the people of the Hutt Valley. It’s a reminder for us all to protect and uphold the mana and mouri (life force) of the river.”

They would like to acknowledge Morris Love (Te Āti Awa, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui and Ngāti Tama iwi of Taranaki) for providing the cultural history about the project area. 

Mills Street stopbank works

Works on the Mills Road stopbank began 26 February and is expected to be completed early October 2024. To ensure the safety of the community during construction, the Hutt River Trail and recreational area on the eastern (city) side of the river is closed between Melling Link Bridge and Kennedy Good Bridge. The shared path on the other side of the river (western side) is still open in its entirety. 

From 25 March, construction activity will increase on-site as the team begins gravel extraction, building the gravel processing facility and associated tracks for the dump trucks to deliver the material for the permanent stopbank. The dump trucks will be contained within the site area and will not impact road users.

For more information on this work and which paths are affected, visit teawakairangi.co.nz/our-projects/mills-st-stopbank/

Important environmental and resilience focus for CentrePort

CentrePort is continuing to be recognised locally and internationally by its customers for leading the way in New Zealand to lower its emissions and Scope 3 supply chain related emissions. This is important for their business and for their customers. Some of the tings they have been working on are:

• A new fuel bunker barge has arrived and is in service providing conventional fuels initially. It’s expected the barge will enable alternative fuels to be supplied to shipping lines.
• The project to establish a MicroGrid on the port. In particular, plans are on track for solar arrays to be installed at the port for onsite electricity generation. They are due to be installed mid-2024.
• CentrePort is also proactively installing underground services infrastructure, where possible, to enable our long-term energy journey.

Resilience continues to be a focus for CentrePort with focus on a range of projects that support the future.

There’s continued good progress on the Seaview Wharf Renewal project, which will protect critical assets integral to the fuel supply for Wellingtonians and the rest of the lower North Island. The work to date has significantly increased the resilience of the main wharf.

The port’s Ground Resilience project, reinstating and repairing the perimeter of the port affected by the Marlborough Earthquakes has also been completed with the last stone column installed in late December last year.

“This is a significant milestone from our regeneration programme and is noteworthy because the work was finished not only on time, but ahead of the budget set in 2017.”

NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force

The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.

“I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union of our ratification of the New Zealand European Union Free Trade Agreement (NZ-EUFTA). This enables the agreement to come into force earlier than expected, from 1 May 2024,” Trade and Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay says.

Upon entry to force on 1 May, the Agreement is set to increase our total exports to the EU by $1.8 billion annually.

Benefits of the deal include:

• An annual boost to GDP of up to $1.4 billion and increase of exports to the EU by up to $1.8 billion per year by 2035.
• Duties removed on 91% of New Zealand’s goods exports to the EU from entry into force, rising to 97% after seven years.
• Tariff savings of $100 million per year on New Zealand exports to the EU from day.
• Significant new quota access for beef, sheep meat, butter and cheese – worth hundreds of millions of dollars per year, if filled.

The double dip recession we said we’d have, hurts.

It’s official. The Kiwi economy is in recession again. Following the September quarter’s 0.3% contraction, the Kiwi economy contracted another 0.1% over the December quarter. The economy shrank 0.4% over the second half of 2023. And don’t forget about the cumulative 0.7% contraction and recession we had over Dec22-March 23. Aotearoa has, as we have coined it, gone through a double dip recession. The heavy hand of the Reserve Bank has hurt households and businesses. Restrictive monetary policy is clearly working. In fact, more than they had expected. The RBNZ expected a flat print, just narrowly averting a recession. But here we are again, in a technical recession. Compared to a year ago, economic output declined 0.3%, and a massive -3.1% per head. 

The headline rate isn’t pretty. And against a backdrop of rapid population growth, it’s even uglier on a per capita (per person) basis. Over December, GDP per capita basis contracted a further 0.7% following Q3’s downwardly revised 1.1% contraction. And compared to a year ago GDP per capita is down 3.1%. 

There is a silver lining though. Today’s report adds more evidence to the RBNZ that they have well and truly done enough to get inflation down to 2%. And today’s print adds to our view that the RBNZ will be in a position to deliver rate cuts from November. Once interest rate settings are relaxed, confidence among households and businesses should build and the economy should regain momentum. 

Chart of the Week: Weaker by the dozen.   

No matter how small, a recession always hurts. A cumulative 0.4% contraction in economic activity may not sound that bad, but against a backdrop of rapid population growth, things are actually a lot worse on a per capita (per person) basis. In fact, on a per capita baisis output has been in quarterly decline since December 2022. Most recenly over the December 23 quarter, GDP per capita contracted a further 0.7% following Q3’s downwardly revised 1.1% contraction. And compared to a year ago GDP per capita is down 3.1%. It’s an improvement from last quarters hefty annual 3.5% decline but per capita levels of production remains even weaker than it was during the GFC. 

The good news is the worst should be over. Though we still expect 2024 to be a year of low growth - thanks to high interest rates and a softening global backdrop- the turning point is on the horizon. 2024 may not be the year of growth but it is the year of central bank rate cutting. Offshore central banks like the Fed are likely to beat us to it but their move to lower rates will help boost global demand and in turn feed through onto our export volumes.Here at home, it shouldn’t be too much longer before the RBNZ can cut rates themselves. We’re pencilling in November. And expect to see growth pick up into 2025 as rate cuts are delivered and stimulate domestic demand.  For now, the theme remains. Survive ‘til 25.
 

Business Continuity Planning Workshop | Upper Hutt

Could your Upper Hutt business be better prepared for a disruption?

Join Upper Hutt City Council for a free 90-minute business continuity planning workshop to create your own draft plan or update your existing plan.

Greater Wellington Consultation – have your say

The Long Term Plan sets out the Greater Wellington plans and budget for the next ten years. 
 
In the next 10 years, they will spend $0.7 billion replacing assets that are reaching the end of their life and $1.0 billion to improve or provide additional assets. They are forecast to spend $7.5 billion running the public transport network, providing bulk water, flood protection and looking after the Region's environment. 
 
In this consultation, they explain their proposals and ask for your feedback on two key topics.  The first topic is Ownership of Public Transport Assets; the second topic is about buying shares in CentrePort.  

Hutt Valley airbridges for Sydney’s new airport

A Lower Hutt manufacturer is building the airbridges for Sydney’s new international airport, which is expected to open in 2026 and operate as an economic centres.

J&D McLennan Engineering is supplying 13 airbridges for Western Sydney International Airport, which is one of just a few greenfields airports being built around the world.

The airbridges for the airport are the largest J&D McLennan makes, with a maximum telescopic extension of about 45 metres. They will cater for all jet aircraft, from the giant Airbus A380 down to domestic workhorses such as the Boeing 737.

It took about three weeks to build each airbridge. Once competed they were trucked overnight to Auckland and put on a specialist ship, bound for Sydney. 

All airbridges at New Zealand airports came out of the company’s workshop, along with about 60% of bridges in Australia, as well as around the South Pacific.

The main competition came from China where manufactures win contracts on price, but not necessarily on quality, he said.

JT Group Unveils Expansion Plans: Bringing 100% Electric Building Wash Technology to New Zealand and Beyond

As the world's first 100% electric building wash company, JT Group is now expanding to take this groundbreaking technology to New Zealand and the world.  

With a history of innovation, JT Group is expanding its reach from New Zealand to global markets in collaboration with its sister company, Summit Building Wash Technologies.

This move is marked by the commencement of manufacturing and leasing operations for their electric pressure washers, a technology that's already proving its worth nationwide. The production of these eco-friendly machines will start next month, promising a cleaner, more sustainable future in building maintenance.

Production of the new electric pressure washers will start next month and all enquiries can now be directed to enquiries@jt-group.co.nz and further information can be found on the JT Group website www.jt-group.co.nz.

The Brew Room | Brewtown, Upper Hutt

Looking for a space to get your team together?

After an affordable meeting room with a difference?

Brewtown is excited to present The Brew Room. The Brew Room makes meetings easy so you can focus on the important stuff and leave the rest to them, and is Fully kitted out with everything you need,

Located in the heart of the bustling Brewtown complex, surrounded by bars, eateries and activities they are the perfect location for both work and play. 

How to Sell in a Changing World

B2B sales used to be like soccer with twenty-two players and thirty balls. In this metaphor, each ball was a sales opportunity. Good players  could score easily, and even unskilled players had some success.  But  now, the economy is shrinking, and things are different. There are still twenty-two players, but only one ball. This means fewer opportunities for everyone, and the unskilled are struggling.
 
To win in this economy, you need more than just being there or being okay - you need to know the rules, know how to play, know how to dribble, tackle, avoid opponents, and score when you get the chance.   It's  clear that for most B2B sales organisations, the sales environment has changed. With the economy slowing down and businesses reducing expenses, the old methods of building relationships and showing ROI calculators are not enough, or even worse, not relevant.

If you want to learn more about the new rules of modern sales, register your interest below for our  Ask Me Anything (AMA) webinar with Patrick McKibbin. Click this link to register and learn more about the 3-P framework and how to boost your sales performance.  Sales is a contact sport – let’s get out there!

Z Energy | Chamber Deals

Z Business is delighted to advise that Chamber of Commerce members discount will increase from 10 cents per litre to 11 cents per litre off pump at service stations and truck stops from Monday 5 February.  

To find out more, click the button below!

Inferno Outdoor Fireplaces | Chamber Deals

Inferno Fires specialises in making their client's dreams & memories come true in their backyard. Inferno Outdoor Fires has a special offer for Chamber members of 5% off the marked price.

To find out more, click the button below!

Air New Zealand | Chamber Deals

For businesses looking to leverage the vast array of offerings from Air New Zealand, there's good news. Air New Zealand has crafted a specialised Business Services page that outlines the multitude of options and programs available for businesses.

To find out more, click the button below!

Bunnings Trade | PowerPass Member Deal

Unlock a range of discounts and simplify the procurement of a huge range of products across our nationwide store network.
Bunnings Trade has partnered with NZ Chambers of Commerce to offer members access to the PowerPass membership program providing a range of exclusive benefits.

For any questions or queries, please feel free to email us at orgs@bunnings.co.nz.

Rove Rentals | Chamber Member Deal

Located in Wellington Region

From moving house to weekend getaways, Rove has got your transportation needs covered.  They are also van and truck rental specialists.

Ready to rent? Visit our website at www.roverentals.co.nz or give us a call on 04 560 4755 to reserve your vehicle. Experience the ROVE difference for yourself!

ROVE Rentals - Rent What You Need, When You Need It!

HVCC OFFER – 15% off base rental rate, all vehicles

HOW TO REDEEM OFFER – when booking online, use code “HVC15” | when booking via phone or email, please mention this offer and confirm you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce

Brendan Foot Supersite | Chamber Member Deal

Pre-order the Next-Gen Mitsubishi Triton for March Delivery

One of the top three utes in New Zealand, be one of the first to drive away the new Mitsubishi Triton from RSP $38,690 + ORC (GLX 2WD ) or $43,990 + ORC (GLX 4WD). This is the Triton’s first new model in nine years, offering a significant tech upgrade & improvements in driving & off-road performance, comfort, & safety. Pre-order now for March delivery with only $500 deposit & zero Clean Car Fee. Contact their Fleet Specialist, Gary, to see how he can help you with your fleet. Test drive from February. *Ts&Cs apply
 

Embroid Me| Chamber Member Deal

2degrees Business Mobile| Chamber Member Deal

Join us on an eligible business mobile plan and get 2 months free. As a Chamber member you’ll also get 15% off for the life of your plan. 

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