Kia Ora , 

I am a bit older, and so I remember Opportunity Knocks as a game show when I was growing up. I have just looked this up and found that it started on the radio in 1949. I am not that old, though!!

The ‘Opportunity Knocks’ that I think about today is that of the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) and the opportunity that this work and other significant infrastructure and construction work across the Hutt Valley will create. There is at least $2.7b of infrastructure and construction work over the next ten years. This does not include Te Ara Tupua (cycleway along State Highway 2) or more general work so the total might be higher. There will be up to 800 additional people working in and around our city when this project is fully up and running. This presents a huge opportunity for the Hutt City businesses.

We were lucky to have an update for the business community on the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (RiverLink) this morning, and a lot of what I hear is about the opportunity of these projects. The update in case you missed this session was:

• There is currently a lot of design work underway to help cost up the work and then agree on a final price.
• There has been geotechnical work across the project area to understand the ground that will be worked on.
• Demolition work has started on Daly Street.
• Property removals have begun in the Pharazyn Street area to recycle and reuse suitable properties. Demolition work will commence there soon.
• Information is and will be shared to keep people informed. This will include some information sites coming soon.

All of this work brings people into our region and creates jobs. These opportunities, along with the positive change to our city over time, are exciting. There is change and will be some disruption, but I think the longer-term outlook for our city and our region creates a great opportunity.
 

Michael Kerr - Project Director speaking at the Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Riverlink) Update.

Last call for the curious, the innovators, and the game-changers! Our BNZ Technology & Innovation Series Event is right around the corner, and this is your final chance to be part of the innovation revolution happening in Hutt Valley. 

Join us to hear from extraordinary speakers – Stephen Thwaite, Prof. Rod Badcock, and Annette Koo, who are pushing the boundaries in their fields and reshaping the business landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to network with like-minded trailblazers and fuel your innovation drive! 

The future is NOW, don't be left behind! 

When: Thursday 27 July 
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: BNZ Partners Centre, Lower Hutt.
Cost: Complimentary for Members, $25 for Non-Members

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 (Delivering RiverLink) | Market Briefing

• Featured Events

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

• Coaching and Mentoring | One Day Training Workshops | August 2023

• Navigating Uncertainty | Leadership Insights with Kristen Lunman

• Plus many more

• Member News

• Hutt City Council | Cafe Space Available to Let

• Dale Carnegie | Building Business Leadership – Online Learning

• Data n Dashboards | Introducing SME Data IT Accelerator

• Goody Goodness | Embracing Expansion: A Journey to a Bigger Space and Brighter Future

• Member Offers

• Bunnings Trade | PowerPass Member Deal

• NZME | Grow Your Business With Us

• Save up to $2,000 on Mitsubishi Triton

• Brendan Foot | Zero deposit & 6.9% interest on Suzuki Swifts

• Z Business | 12c OFF EVERY LITRE, LET’S DO BUSINESS

• Brewtown | Corporate Christmas parties

• Employment Opportunities

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

• Are You Hiring?

 Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi (Delivering RiverLink) | Market Briefing

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi is a significant, multi-year alliance between Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hutt City Council, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, AECOM and Fletcher Construction. The purpose of project is to transform Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai - Lower Hutt by providing better flood protection, enabling urban growth and improving transport safety and connections in the central city and around the Melling Interchange.

One of the Alliances key objectives is to develop a Healthy and Sustainable Supplier Market. To achieve this, the Alliance would like to invite organisations to attend an online briefing, and subsequently submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for any scope of work they are interested in providing.

Te Awa Kairangi Alliance will need subcontractors, subconsultants and suppliers support for the scope elements outlined in the table of the attached document.

Date: Thursday 27 July 2023

Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Please register your interest before 12pm 27 th July. The briefing will be held via MS Teams. Please note, the briefing invite is limited to a maximum of two representatives per organisation.

On Friday 28 July 2023, we will open the Registration of Interest process. Following the ROI, we will engage with organisations to participate in the project pricing phases.

Any queries, please email procurement@teawakairangi.co.nz

Featured Events

Member News

Hutt City Council | Cafe Space Available to Let 

The Little Theatre Cafe, located at 2 Queens Drive, is currently available for lease. The cafe space is administered by Hutt City Council and is in a prime central area, connected to the Little Theatre and War Memorial Library, and situated in the Riddiford Garden and wider Civic Precinct in the heart of Lower Hutt.  
The leased area is 389m2 and includes a distinct cafe space, kitchen and storage area. There is also a shared foyer space for additional seating during business hours.   

Our goals for the space are: 

• To find a hospitality partner passionate about creating a warm, welcoming and accessible cafe to serve the local community 
• To ensure a high level of service and to provide a menu that balances high-quality food and drinks with affordability 
• To leverage the attraction of the cafe to raise the visibility of the services and amenities provided by the council in the Civic Precinct  

The cafe space is ready for a tenant fit out and lease terms will be negotiated with prospective tenants. 

For more information, to arrange a site visit or submit an Expression of Interest, please email Erika McClintock, Business Development and Operations Manager, Hutt City Council - Erika.mcclintock@huttcity.govt.nz 
 

Dale Carnegie | Building Business Leadership – Online Learning

These 6 powerful interactive 90-minute workshops will help you check and confirm your business direction is set and locked on realistic goals, and give you tools and techniques to lead and bring the team with you as you develop your business. Sign up today!

Data n Dashboards |  Introducing SME Data IT Accelerator

In the latest tech news, Data n Dashboards has unveiled a dynamic new solution designed specifically to supercharge SME operations – the SME Data IT Accelerator.

This integrated system harnesses the power of Dynamics 365 for seamless ERP processes, Shopify for streamlined e-commerce functionality, and Tableau for cutting-edge data visualisation and insights. Currently benefiting from this innovative solution is a Bulls area-based egg farm whose improved operations can be viewed at https://eg.co.nz/.

Data n Dashboards encourages those interested or needing such an upgrade to consider the SME Data IT Accelerator, as they stand ready to assist in setup and implementation. The firm is eager to explore potential collaborations and expand their network to ensure this valuable tool reaches those who need it the most.

Goody Goodness | Embracing Expansion: A Journey to a Bigger Space and Brighter Future

In an exciting update from Goody Goodness, they have announced their relocation to a new, more spacious shop at 247 Jackson Street in just two weeks' time.

The new location is a significant upgrade, offering three times the space of their current premises. What makes this move even more unique is the collaboration with several creative businesses primarily based in the Lower Hutt of Hutt Valley, intending to elevate the store experience.

Amid a challenging economic climate that has seen many businesses struggle, Goody Goodness continues to support the local community, fostering the growth of unique, creative, and courageous small businesses.

They warmly invite everyone to visit their new location during their grand opening weekend from Friday, August 4th through Sunday, August 6th, to witness firsthand the evolution of Goody Goodness.

Member Offers

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

NZME | Grow Your Business With Us

Lets talk about how we can promote your business across our trusted radio & digital brands. Whether it's audio commercials or digital ads, this deal is a great way to explore NZME's reach and engaged audiences. Please contact Hannah Doile hannah.doile@nzme.co.nz today for strategic advertising solutions or mention the above deal to kick start your next media campaign!

Brendan Foot | 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. 

Brendan Foot | Zero deposit & 6.9% interest on Suzuki Swifts 

One of NZ’s most popular fleet cars, the Suzuki Swift is compact yet spacious, nippy, and incredibly fuel efficient to keep your fuel expenses down. Moreover, you’ll avoid a Clean Car Fee due to the Swift’s low CO2 emissions.

It’s available in a wide range of colours to suit your branding. From only $22,990 + on roads or $106 per week.

The Suzuki Swift has always been excellent value, and it just got even better. You can now add a Suzuki Swift to your fleet and finance it with zero deposit and Suzuki’s exclusive 6.9% interest rate. Stock available now.

Contact their Fleet Specialist, Gary, to see how he can help you with your fleet.     

Z Business | 12c OFF EVERY LITRE, LET’S DO BUSINESS

Want a fuel partner that backs NZ business by driving value at the pump? Get 12c off every litre for three months with Z Business*. Sign up, fuel up and save big at Z, Caltex and Challenge. Vroom! 

Sign up now for Z Business using promo code CHAMBERCEN apply.z.co.nz

Already have a Z Business fuel card?
Just stop by and use your Z Business fuel card to get 12c off every litre until Sunday 8 October! 

* Sign up for a Z Business account using promo code CHAMBERCEN by Sunday 3, September 2023. The 12 cents per litre discount will be applied to all fuel grades purchased using your Z Business fuel card from Z, Caltex or Challenge service stations and truck stops for 3 months after the date of account opening. Terms and conditions apply. See z.co.nz/business12

Brewtown | Corporate Christmas parties

Looking to sort out your office Christmas party? Christmas is on at the Brewtown Greenspace this November and December! With a range of lawn games, entertainment, live music, craft beer, a delicious Boneface buffet, and more - it is the perfect way to celebrate a hardworking year. 

*Minimum 20 persons per booking.

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.