Kia Ora , 

Nau mai ki Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Welcome to Māori Language Week! As we take a moment to acknowledge this important week, let's also recognise how language and culture add a layer of richness to our vibrant Hutt Valley business community. The Hutt Valley Chamber is pleased to extend an invitation to our upcoming Business Skills Lunch Series Event, the first in the series, which will be covering Māori Economic Development. View our featured event section to find out more information! 
 
As we transition from the celebration of our cultural heritage, let's pivot towards another kind of recognition - the 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards. A mere nine days are left for you to take the leap and submit your application. The awards are a celebration of the resilience, innovation, and hard work that you and your team have poured into 2023. With a range of categories that mirror the diversity of our business community, there’s a place for everyone to shine.

For an added layer of excitement, we have a special giveaway coming for one lucky entrant who fully completes and submits their application. Keep a close watch on our social channels for details - you won't want to miss out! What a way it would be to round off 2023, not just with industry recognition but possibly with an unexpected bonus. So why not make 2023 a year to remember by earning the recognition your team deserves?

A Huge Thank you to all our Partners for your continued support.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Delivering RiverLink) Updates

• National News

• Featured Events

• Education to Employment

• Member News

• Member Offers

• Employment Opportunities

Melling Train Line Update

If you are a Melling line passenger there will be changes to your commute from July 2024.

State Highway 2 at the Melling intersection will see major infrastructure changes as part of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Te Awa Kairangi - Delivering RiverLink), previously known as RiverLink. This will include crucial flood protection work, the Melling transport improvements, and Hutt City Centre urban revitalisation.

As a result of this work, there is a proposal that the Melling line will be closed for up to 18 months from July 2024.

Metlink Group Manager Samantha Gain says a suite of options is being considered to maintain the passengers’ access to public transport during construction and encourage active travel modes.

“The options include new and targeted bus services, free or discounted fares, and additional park and ride facilities at nearby stations,” Ms Gain says.

“The options will be chosen over the next 12 months and promoted by a robust communications campaign to optimise patronage. Metlink will monitor uptake during construction and remain agile if changes are needed.”

We will keep you informed with important information and dates, alongside an update on a suite of alternative public transport options for you.

Update for Demolition on Daly Street

The Hutt City Council is making strides in the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) project, aimed at revitalising Lower Hutt with better flood protection and transport links. Buildings at 6, 7, and 10 Daly Street have been acquired for demolition, scheduled from September 12 to late November 2023, to make way for the project's next phases.

During demolition, residents can expect some noise and vibrations, restricted to weekdays between 7:30 am and 5:00 pm. Temporary traffic management and footpath closures on Daly Street will also be in place. For concerns or more information, contact Libby Nanai at McMahon Services NZ.

National News

Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition Speak to the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Conference

Both Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Leader of the Opposition, Christopher Luxon, spoke to the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce conference in Hamilton last week.

Some of their key points included:

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins

• His address focused on sustained and significant investment into infrastructure, a strong focus on sustainability and renewable energy, skills development, opportunities in innovation, and exploring a more diverse range of countries that we trade with.
• New Zealand has the potential to become a “smart, modern and green economy”. “We have a number of natural strengths - our natural beauty, our cultural identity, our reputation for innovation, the fact that we have some of the smartest farmers and greatest traders in the world - these are things in our favour.”
• “We have had a real focus on growing our trading opportunities internationally, securing new free trade agreements with UK and Europe. I’ve been trying to strengthen international trade opportunities wherever possible. I believe there is reason for optimism with the potential to be a smart, modern green economy that is trading on our brand.”

Leader of the Opposition, Christopher Luxon

• This is a country with endless potential.
• There should be no excuses why we can’t do exceptionally well for ourselves in the next couple of decades. Need to be ambitious and aspirational to build one of the leading small, advanced nations on planet Earth.
• We are going in the completely wrong direction. We are not realising all that potential in this great country. We are not solving problems and challenges or maximising opportunities in front of us.
• This election comes down to the economy and who people think are best placed to rebuild the economy.
• We need to embrace more technology and innovation. We are amongst the worst at commercialising our science and technology. Need to build more value-added products and services. There is huge work for us to attract foreign investment into New Zealand both in terms of capital and talent.

Tips to help business save money on their fuel bill.

Looking to save on petrol costs? Terry Collins, AA’s principal policy adviser for motoring affairs, has some advice that could help New Zealand motorists save a fortune. Collins, who considers finding cheap petrol a "sport," shares valuable insights on how to cut down your fuel bills.

1. Stay Updated on Discounts: Sign up for fuel companies’ apps and mailing lists to be alerted about special offers. BP, for instance, often has 10-cent-off Wednesdays.

2. Plan Ahead: Collins managed to pay 80 cents less per litre through strategic planning. When a fuel tax cut was ending, he pre-purchased 1,000 litres of petrol at $2.20 per litre, saving him money as prices later rose to $3.

3. Monitor Market Trends: Keep an eye on the price of oil to predict future petrol costs. When oil prices are low, fill up your tank; when they are high, buy just enough to get by.

4. Use Apps to Shop Around: Before heading out to refuel, use apps like Gaspy to find the cheapest petrol stations in your area.

5. Bank Your Discounts: Promotional discounts can often be banked for future use. Collins pays the minimum purchase to receive the discount and banks it for greater savings later.

6. Drive Sensibly: Smooth driving can save up to 30-40% on fuel costs, according to Collins. Checking tyre pressures and avoiding overloading your roof rack can also help.

Armed with these tips, saving on petrol could become your new favourite "sport" too!

Featured Events

Additional Events

Education to Employment

Unlocking Potential: Wiremu Williams' Unique Journey from Taita College to Pertronic

In the bustling Hutt Valley, where businesses and schools often operate in their own worlds, a Year 13 student named Wiremu Williams found a way to blend the best of both. Wiremu previously split his week between school at Taita College and work at Pertronic, a local industry leader. Initially, waking up for a 6:30 am shift wasn't easy, but Wiremu quickly adjusted and has been thriving ever since.

This smooth transition owes much to Amanda Walters, the Hutt Valley Chamber Education to Employment Coordinator. She facilitated the connections and ironed out the logistics, ensuring that both school and work were on the same page. "You did good, Amanda!" says Wiremu, encapsulating the sentiment perfectly. 

Pertronic also reaped the rewards. Stephen Mills, the Production Manager, praises Wiremu's newfound confidence and the value he adds to the team. The company is so impressed that they have offered Wiremu a full-time job and are open to offering this unique work-study model to other students and encouraging other businesses to do the same. A huge thank you to Pertronic and other companies implementing these work-study models, specifically Stephan Mills, for all of your support with this experience. 

In a nutshell, Wiremu's journey serves as an inspiring model for how collaboration between educational institutions and businesses can offer a pathway to mutual success. Both Wiremu and Pertronic are living proof that a little innovation can go a long way.

Member News

Sprig + Fern Petone | 10th Birthday Celebration 

Sprig & Fern Petone is celebrating their 10th year trading later this month with their annual Birthday event. 

Ian and the team invite you to join them for live music and complimentary nibbles as the Sprig enters double digits. 

Sprig + Fern Petone is set in the historic Raynor & Woodward hardware store building, which dates back well over a century.

Now it is a warm, comfortable and homely bar, perfect for a proper pint amongst some proper conversation.

Petone has a massive twenty taps, allowing for the full range of Sprig + Fern craft beer and cider, with three spare taps to showcase an ever-changing range of limited and seasonal releases.

Alongside beer, wine and spirits sits a food menu of sharing plates and pizza, and you’re never short of entertainment with a Quiz Night every Tuesday at 7pm, a DJ playing vinyl on Friday night, live music on Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon Vinyl Club.

Earthfest 2023

Geoscience Society NZ are organising an Earth science festival for the public, to be held at the Walter Nash Centre in Lower Hutt, on Saturday 11 November, from 9am - 3pm. The festival’s intent is to be an interactive showcase of a wide range of Earth science concepts and disciplines, to inspire interest and excitement about Earth processes, and enable people to build connections between Earth science and their everyday lives. In particular, the hope is to inspire excitement among tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau, as a way to promote STEM subjects and inspire future careers. The festival is a great opportunity for you to engage with the public about your work and promote careers in this space.

Participating in the festival is free as costs are being covered by sponsorship, and could take the form of an all-day exhibit and/or a scheduled demonstration sometime during the day. Anything that has that “wow” factor or is something that the public can interact with would be ideal!

Please feel free to get in touch with Jenny at GSNZ via email geoid@gsnz.org.nz if you would like further information.

Howie | Logo Giveaway Competiton

Win a Free Logo Animation Worth $860!

To enter, Like their logo animation post, Share it, and Follow them on social media!

And remember, by entering on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn you receive multiple entries!

Wellington Free Ambulance | Golf Day

The Wellington Free Ambulance is hosting their Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Royal Wellington Golf Club. It promises to be a day filled with friendly competition and fun, all for an excellent cause - keeping ambulance services free in Wellington. Exclusive hole sponsorship packages are available for $2,500, offering a range of benefits including naming rights, entry for a team of four, and more. To register your interest or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Dom below. Don't miss your chance to participate in this worthwhile event!

A Better Future: Maycroft Construction and Brendan Foot Supersite Team Up for Eco-Friendly Change

Maycroft Construction is updating its fleet with hybrid vehicles, to continue to be more fuel-efficient and eco-conscious. They've partnered with local car dealer Brendan Foot Supersite to make this transition smoothly. With a busy schedule and over 150 staff across the lower North Island, Maycroft knows that being fuel efficient isn't just good for business - it's good for the environment, too.

Both companies have a strong presence in the community and see this as a way to lead by example. The goal is to find a balance between reducing operational costs and making a positive environmental impact. While Maycroft plans their strategy for moving to a more eco-friendly fleet, Brendan Foot Supersite supports them by recommending the right vehicles and offering continued service. It's a partnership that finds a balance between reducing operational costs and making a positive environmental impact.

This collaboration is a great example for other businesses in the Hutt Valley area. If you're thinking about how you can lower your fuel expenses and carbon footprint, we recommend you get in touch with Gary at Brendan Foot Supersite. It's this kind of forward-thinking that the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to support.

The Business Plan Sprint | Online Business Bootcamp

Fancy the idea of creating a comprehensive Business Plan in 2 days?
It literally is a sprint. Over two days during a one-week period, participants will literally experience a business boot camp with the outcome of a business plan. It is a gamified approach to business planning and, importantly, educates on business while the app collects data throughout the game. The Business Plan Sprint utilises the unique app (bizezi) to collect data during the game to bring your personalised business plan to life.

The cost is $765 per person (Including GST).

Chamber Members receive a 20% discount code to use at checkout: CCREFERRED

Member Offers

2degrees | Chamber Member Deal

Brendan Foot Supersite | Chamber Member Deal

Add an EV to your fleet from $99 per week!

There’s never been a better time to upgrade to an EV with 4 incredible value EV deals all under $200 per week from Hyundai.* Avoid rising fuel prices & drive away the IONIQ Series II EV from only $99 per week.* Or grab yourself a bargain on the 2022 or 2023 World Car of the Year – Hyundai IONIQ 5 or IONIQ 6 – or our most popular small SUV – Hyundai Kona EV, which is on run-out while stocks last.

Take your pick & save up to $7,015 Clean Car Rebate. Hurry, deals end 30 September 2023. Contact their Fleet Specialist, Gary, to see how he can help you with your fleet. *Ts&Cs apply

Friends & Family Promotion | Linda & Ray Wallace - Ray White

Nicole Rose | Make it Happen Package

Nicole Rose | Online Business Manager is excited to offer an exclusive deal for Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members. With her Make it Happen package, you can save $200 and receive 20 hours of work for one whole month!!! This offer is specifically designed to help busy business owners and executives streamline their workload, smash out a project or get you through a busy patch! 

As a corporate project manager and executive assistant expert, Nicole understands the importance of time management and the challenges that come with managing high-level responsibilities. Don't miss out on an opportunity to work with a powerhouse who knows how to get things done. Send Nicole an email delegate@nicolerose.co.nz or give her a call on 022 031 2942 for further information.  

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:

Customised Pricing? Take advantage of a wide range of discounts across our extensive product range.
Business Solutions? From build and fit out through to maintenance and cleaning? our dedicated business team have got you covered.
Account Management Tools? Manage quotes, invoicing, and transactions via your online PowerPass account portal or PowerPass App.
Quick, Easy and Flexible Fulfilment? With 48 locations across the country, we offer convenient payment, pickup and delivery, or view our range online for click & collect or delivery.

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

For More Offers:

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 04 9399821.

Thank you to all our Partners

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