Kia Ora , 

Last week we heard New Zealand is in a technical recession following two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. Other data has been released too, including unemployment, population, migration, and economic activity on a per capita basis. It can all be useful and overwhelming at the same time. You might be asking, what does it all mean to me and my business?

I think we already know things are tougher. The word ‘softening’ has been used a lot in conversations recently.

We think the message is to focus on what you can control, focus on your customers, and don’t let the words technical recession dictate what you do or don’t do. Remember, you have resources at your disposal. You have your advisors, and you can seek expert guidance from the people around your business. The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce is always ready to connect you with the right people.

Tell us how you’re feeling in our Quarterly Business Confidence Survey sponsored by Red Hot Business Coaching and Consulting. You can complete this 2 minute survey here.

If you want to hear more about the economy, you can join us at our Business After Five event, ‘Economic Outlook in an Uncertain World’, on 28^th June. Forsyth Barr Investment Strategist Zoe Wallis will share her insights about the economic trends impacting investment decisions. You can register for this event here

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Te Awa Kairangi Updates

• Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi: New name for next stages of RiverLink project 

• Introducing Mike Kerr – One of the Hutt Valley’s own delivering the project

• Work currently underway 

• National Updates

• New Amendment Extends Reporting Period for Workplace Sexual Harassment

• Featured Events

• Success in Social Marketing Digital Workshop | Synthesis Marketing

• Business After 5 | Economic Outlook in an Uncertain World

• Plus many more

• Member Offers 

• 2degrees

• Commercial Deals for Chamber Members – Check them out

• Lower Hutt Foodbank’s urgent donation appeal

• Torpedo 7 Winter Friends and Family Sale

• Employment Opportunities

• Are You Hiring?

Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi: New name for next stages of RiverLink project

Mana Whenua has gifted the name of Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi – The Soothing Waters of Te Awa Kairangi to the Alliance that will deliver the project previously referred to as RiverLink. The RiverLink project was planned, consulted on and consented to between 2019-2021. Elements of the RiverLink programme being delivered by the Alliance will be delivered under the new name.

Mana Whenua Alliance partners Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira formally gifted the name and cultural narrative at a pōwhiri held at Te Tatau o te Pō Marae in Lower Hutt on 17 April 2023. The pōwhiri was a momentous occasion for the Project Alliance team and to be officially welcomed by mana whenua into the region and onto this land was a wonderful way to begin our involvement in the project. It was an opportunity to share the name and cultural narrative and clear the way for work to begin.

The name and narrative were given by Kura Moeahu, respected iwi leader of Te Āti Awa and Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika. The narrative acknowledges the story of the tupua Ngake and how the whipping and lashing of his tail created Te Awa Kairangi – Hutt River. The river was created as Ngake broke free from the landlocked lake, where he lived with Whātaitai, to form Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

The name Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi for the project, refers to the many waterways that came together to soothe the scars that Ngake left on the land. These waterways feed the river and continue to shape the landscape of the Hutt Valley. The name is a reminder of the importance of caring for the environment.

Introducing Mike Kerr – One of the Hutt Valley’s own delivering the project

Mike Kerr has been appointed Alliance Manager for Te Wai Takamori o Te Awa Kairangi. The Alliance Manager is responsible for the overall delivery of the project.

“I grew up and have raised my family in Lower Hutt. I have also established a small business in the area. I’m very passionate about the community and excited about the opportunities that this project provides. While delivering key infrastructure to protect our community from flooding and to create a more vibrant river-facing city, I’m ensuring the team also remain focused on the wider outcomes this project can achieve, be it through job opportunities, career pathways or supporting new and existing businesses”.

“The team and I are very privileged to work on a project that will bring transformational change to our city. We know that the work may be disruptive to you, your families and businesses, and we’re keen to work together to keep this to a minimum”.

Work currently underway

Since the beginning of June, buildings have started being removed in Pharazyn Street and this will also start shortly in Daly, Marsden and Mills Streets.

These works will:

• make room for the river by allowing stop banks to be set further back from the river edge, and improve flood defences
• prepare the land as we work towards revitalising the Lower Hutt city centre.

The removal of these buildings is a big step. They contain many memories for the people who lived and worked there. Over the past few years, affected tenants have been helped to find alternative accommodation.

Utilities, such as electricity, gas and water are being carefully disconnected to ensure the rest of the neighbourhood remains connected.

As many materials as possible are being recycled. This includes relocating entire houses and engaging with mana whenua and community about repurposing chattels and other items. Land that is cleared by the demolitions will be repurposed, including a temporary carpark site on Daly Street.

National Updates

New Amendment Extends Reporting Period for Workplace Sexual Harassment

New changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 now grant victims of sexual harassment up to 12 months to raise a personal grievance. The 12-month period relates to the date the sexual harassment occurred or when it came to the employee's notice, whichever is later.

This change is aimed at giving victims ample time to process incidents. All other grievances maintain a 90-day period.

You can read the full article here.

Featured Events

Member Offers

2degrees Chamber of Commerce Offer 

As a Chamber member, you’ll get 4 months free and 10% off for the life of your plan when you sign up for a 36-month Fibre plan

Chat to one of the 2degrees team or visit 2degrees.nz/NZChamber

Commercial Deals for Chamber Members – Check them out

Chamber Members can receive exclusive access to Commercial deals through Noel Leeming Commercial.  To speak to an Account Manager at Noel Leeming who can help explore what your B2B needs and purchasing in bulk for business is contact through this link: Contact Us | Noel Leeming Commercial (nlgcommercial.nz)

Noel Leeming currently has a commercial deal running from now until 8th June where you can get access to exclusive Panasonic deals. Save on TV's, Refrigerators, Vacuum Cleaners, Washer/Dryers and Microwaves! 

Here are just a couple of examples

Lower Hutt Foodbank’s urgent donation appeal

The Lower Hutt Foodbank is urgently appealing for cash donations to help address a spike in demand for food packages. 

“We don’t have enough on hand to feed the amount of people who are asking us for help. If we don’t figure something out, we’ll run out of funds by the end of this year and we’ll need to consider shutting down our operation after 37 years.” explains David Douglas, the Chairperson of the Lower Hutt Foodbank. 
To supplement food donations, the organisation relies on funds donated to buy the necessary items for food packages. The items are bought at retail prices, which have significantly increased due to inflation. 

Over the last year, the Foodbank has seen a dramatic increase in demand for assistance. Last year the Foodbank helped a total of 13,700 people and distributed over 3500 food packages. Demand has increased 80% in the last year, from an average of 365 food packages per month to 655 food packages per month. 

Food donations from local producers, partners such as the Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective and Kaibosh, and the community fill approximately 500 monthly food packages. Regular financial donations provide a further 50 food packages per month, meaning the Foodbank is rapidly depleting its cash reserves. “We currently spend between $15,000 and $17,000 monthly on food to meet additional demand. As you can imagine, COVID-19 and other economic factors have hit families and vulnerable people quite hard. We recently held a food drive at local supermarkets, and some people told us that they would like to help and have in the past but are struggling to purchase enough for their own household currently. Some of our regular donors have had to stop their payments because of their own financial struggles. It’s a very challenging situation. We just don’t have enough donations to assist everyone that’s lining up at our door for food at the moment, and we don’t expect that the demand for food packages will ease anytime soon. We’re calling on our local community to give us a hand”. 

David and the other 35 volunteers that run the foodbank are urgently asking those in and around Lower Hutt to consider making a regular weekly donation of funds through the organisation's Givealittle page. “Our goal is for 500 people in Lower Hutt to donate $5 (about the cost of a coffee) every week. This would make an incredible difference to our ability to help those in need.” 

You can set up your weekly donation here 
 

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.
 

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

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 049399821.

Thank you to all our Partners

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