Kia ora ,

I had the pleasure last night of attending a function at Parliament hosted by the Motor Trade Association to launch their industry push to government and opposition parties on what is needed in the run-up to the election.

These are great events to network, but most importantly, keep up to date on challenges and opportunities for the industry. There were some very common themes around staff shortages, immigration, and training, which many of you will be all too familiar with. There were also some industry-specific themes around road safety, speed restrictions, and the clean car discount. It was great talking to some local businesses about these issues.

What wasn’t at these events was a chance to ask questions. The politicians that spoke left soon after to do their parliament job.

I think that’s where the Chamber try to do things differently. What we try to do is bring you opportunities to hear from people and see new things, but also ask those important questions that you have. Three opportunities are coming up which follow this "Chamber Way”.

• Pre Budget Speech, Nicola Willis, National Party Deputy Leader, Opposition Spokesperson for Finance – Monday 15^th May, 7am – 9am | Book Here
• Post Budget Breakfast with Hon Grant Robertson | Minister of Finance – Tuesday 23^rd May, 7am – 9:30am | Book Here

There is also a special opportunity to come and see the work that the Measurement Standards Lab of New Zealand do at their Gracefield site. I have been, and it is really interesting. – Tuesday 16^th May 1:30 - 3pm | Book here

Three Double Pass Giveaway for the Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika 

Our partner 2degrees has generously given us three double passes to the Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika at Sky Stadium on Saturday at 4.35 pm. Email me at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz if you would like a set, first in, first served.

A big thank you goes to the excellent team at 2degrees.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Chamber Updates

• 2023 AGM Reminder

• Featured Event: Benefits of being a Living Wage Employer

• RiverLink Updates

• Are you Riverlink-Ready?

• RiverLink signing marks the formation of an alliance

• Regional News

• 10-Year Vision Of Your Region - Have Your Say

• National Updates

• Working Holiday Scheme changes to help address labour shortages

• Featured Events

• BNZ Tech Series: May 2023 Edition - Robotics & Biotechnology

• Pre-Budget Breakfast with Nicola Willis -  Spokesperson for Finance

• Post-Budget Breakfast with Hon Grant Robertson, Minister of Finance

• Business After Five - Business Networking Event with Kristen Lunman

• Plus many more

• More Events & Workshops

• Digital Workshop in Upper & Lower Hutt | Driving Traffic To Your Website

• Free HR Workshop - Creating a safe environment for Your Employees

• Plus many more 

• Member Offers 

• 2degrees

• Get involved with Westpac's Fundraiser and Oxygen's PJ's for Hutt Hospital

• Employment Opportunities

• Are You Hiring?

CHAMBER UPDATES

2023 AGM Reminder

We have completed the nomination process for our Board, and we appreciate all the nominations we have received. We want to extend an invitation to attend our 79th Annual General Meeting, where members of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce will come together to discuss the current state of the organisation, elect or re-elect board members, approve financial statements, and provide input on important matters affecting the Chamber and the local business community.

The AGM is a great opportunity for our members to connect with the Chamber's leadership, ask questions, and express their opinions on issues that affect the business community in the Hutt Valley region. We hope to see you there!

Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Time: 5:30 pm (Please be seated by 5:25 pm)
Location: Level 3, DSV House, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt

Featured Event: Benefits of being a Living Wage Employer

The Living Wage means thriving, not just surviving. Employers who pay the Living Wage want to ensure their workers earn enough to live with dignity. It’s good for collective well-being, our economy and can be good for your business when organisations are looking for a supplier to buy their goods and services from.

The Living Wage Movement offers a Living Wage Employer accreditation process that allows employers to use the Living Wage Employer logo and call themselves a 'Living Wage Employer'.​

The Living Wage Movement and the Hutt City Council would like to invite you to come and learn more about the Living Wage and hear from some accredited employers.

When: Thursday 15 June
Time: 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt
Price: No Cost

RIVERLINK UPDATES

RiverLink signing marks formation of alliance

Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington, and Waka Kotahi are celebrating the signing of an Interim Project Alliance Agreement that sees AECOM-Fletcher become RiverLink’s delivery alliance.

RiverLink will deliver crucial flood protection and river restoration work, improvements to public transport, walking and cycling routes, local roads and the SH2 Melling Interchange for the local community. It will also help revitalise Lower Hutt’s city centre.  

The Minister of Transport, Hon. Michael Wood, Lower Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry, Greater Wellington Chair Daran Ponter and Mana Whenua Steering Group Interim Chair Lee Hunter were on hand for today’s event; The alliance agreement means the project can move into the detailed design and planning phase ahead of main construction beginning later this year.

RiverLink Programme Director, Rod James, welcomes the signing, saying it’s the first step for some big changes for Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt).

“This is a major milestone for the programme. RiverLink removes a major pinch point in the river corridor, significantly improves flood protection, and makes the State Highway 2 corridor much safer. It will help Lower Hutt become a true river city, putting our taonga – Te Awa Kairangi / Hutt River – at the heart of the community,” James says.

RiverLink’s Board Chair, Will Peet, is excited to see the AECOM-Fletcher alliance begin its work.

“It’s been a long time in the making, but we’re here now and are confident about the work ahead. We will use our partners’ knowledge and expertise, and that of the alliance, to make sure RiverLink is delivered successfully and gets a great outcome for the community,” Peet says.

What happens next?

Over the next six months, RiverLink partners will work closely with the alliance to finalise the design to deliver the best balance of cost and outcomes.

When the detailed design, cost and construction approach is finalised, a Project Alliance Agreement will be signed. Main construction for RiverLink is expected to begin later this year and be completed in 2027.

Are you Riverlink-Ready?

Now that Waka Kotahi has announced AECOM-Fletcher as the preferred alliance to deliver this much-anticipated project to the Hutt Valley, there will be a lot of work to do.

As a business, you may be considering the possibility of participating in the work on the RiverLink project.  This could mean that you are thinking about growing your workforce, what contract terms might apply, or increasing your leased space to meet future service demand.

Platinum partner of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Gibson Sheat Lawyers,  are here in the Hutt Valley community to help you if you need someone to help guide you and your business through some of the complex legal questions you might have at this exciting time for the Hutt Valley.

You can read more here.

REGIONAL UPDATES

Upcoming information sessions

Greater Wellington Regional Council are reviewing three key documents for our region over the next 12 months.
- Long Term Plan (2024-2034)
- Regional Land Transport Plan
- Regional Public Transport Plan 

They invite you to attend a free, one-hour information session to find out more about the reviews.

There are two times available. Please click on your preferred time to register for the event. 

12pm - 1pm, Wednesday 17 May 2023
5:30pm - 6:30pm, Wednesday 17 May 2023 

You can also have your say on the 2023-34 Long-Term Plan via the survey below.

For more info and to take the survey, click here.

Hutt Valley Gas & Plumbing Employee Wins Award

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce takes this opportunity to congratulate Darren Smith, who has emerged as the recipient of the 2023 New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter, or Drainlayer of the Year Award, for his remarkable accomplishments at Hutt Valley Gas and Plumbing.

There is so much great work in our plumbing, gasfitting and drain laying industry here in the Hutt Valley. We are pleased to witness the acknowledgement of the outstanding work undertaken by local businesses and their employees.

Here is a full list of the 2023 New Zealand Plumbing Awards winners: http://www.masterplumbers.org.nz/.../2023-award-winners

NATIONAL UPDATES

Working Holiday Scheme changes to help address labour shortages

Two changes have recently been announced to the working holiday visa scheme. They are:

• The Spain WHS annual quota will increase from 200 to 2,000 places, and Spain WHS visa holders will be able to work for the full 12-month duration of their visa (currently, visa holders must not work for more than six months in total and must not work for the same employer for more than three months).
• There is also a 6-month extension by special direction to WHS visa holders currently in New Zealand whose visa expires between 4 April and 30 September (inclusive). This change will help to address current workforce shortages, particularly in industries which traditionally employ open work visa holders, such as tourism and hospitality.

You can read more here.

FEATURED EVENTS

MORE EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

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

Quiz Night Fun - Fundraiser

Westpac invites you to their Rescue Chopper Appeal Quiz. RSVP your interest to jessica.sears-crawshaw@westpac.co.nz

Oxygen's PJ's for Hutt Hospital

This year, Oxygen Property Management are collecting winter pyjamas to donate to the Children’s Ward at Hutt Hospital.

Please help them by dropping off new winter PJs, in sizes 1-16, to Oxygen, 23 Cornwall St, Lower Hutt by Friday 9th June.

Together we can help keep as many kids as possible stay warm and cosy this winter.

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.