Pothole Repairs Scheduled for Shared Path

On Thursday, the 11th, and Friday, the 12th of April, the Te Awa Kairangi team will be repairing a number of potholes on the shared path on the western side of the river between Melling Link Bridge and Kennedy Good Bridge. 
The path will remain open and accessible at all times. To ensure public safety and minimise disruption to users, works will be undertaken outside of commuter hours (e.g. between 9am – 3pm).
Cones will surround the impacted areas, and a member of the crew will help direct pedestrians and cyclists as required. 
It is anticipated that this work will take approximately two days, but it is weather dependent (alternative weather dates are Monday 15th / Tuesday 16th April).

Utilities Investigation on Block Road 

On Thursday 11th April, there will be utilities investigations happening along Block Road between 7pm to 5am. 
Traffic management will include stop/go, and speed reductions. Please take extra care when travelling through this area, and thank you for your patience.

Prime Minister launches Government Target

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders.

“Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, restore law and order, and deliver better public services,” Mr Luxon says. 

“We’ve made great progress, but we’re under no illusion about the scale of the challenges we face as a country. Despite the hard work of frontline staff like police, nurses and teachers, New Zealand has gone backwards in recent years.

“That’s why our Government is bringing back public service targets, to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, law and order, work, housing, and the environment.

“These targets are not going to be easy to achieve. But we’re not here to do what is easy – we’re here to do what is needed to reduce crime, shorten healthcare wait times and improve educational achievement, no matter how difficult.”

Forsyth Barr's Pulse of NZ Business Survey

The business environment is ever changing. Most data covering the economic cycle is historic. At Forsyth Barr we’re always curious as to key economic drivers and the influence they have on the business community. Reliable and timely data is critical to our approach to investing. As a result we are conducting another iteration of our Forsyth Barr's Pulse of NZ Business Survey, which we'd love you to participate in using the link below. It’s a simple survey that should take no more than three minutes of your time. We intend to undertake the survey on an ongoing basis to monitor the business pulse of New Zealand by posing a number of critical questions directed at the business that you work for, or are primarily connected to either as an owner, director, employee, contractor or have some other relationship with.

Government responds to unsustainable net migration

Immediate changes to the Accredited Employer Worker Visa (AEWV) scheme will ensure New Zealand is attracting the skills it needs, and reducing the vulnerability of migrants to exploitation, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced today.

“Getting our immigration settings right is critical to this Government’s plan to rebuild the economy.

“The Government is focused on attracting and retaining the highly skilled migrants such as secondary teachers, where there is a skill shortage.  At the same time we need to ensure that New Zealanders are put to the front of the line for jobs where there are no skills shortages,” she says.

In 2023 migration was 173,000 non-New Zealand citizens, a near record.

“I am bringing in a suite of changes that will improve the AEWV scheme and ensure we are better testing the local labour market and reducing the risks of putting New Zealanders out of work. Many of these are not new, but rather a return to pre-pandemic settings that better balanced the needs of business with the wider interests of New Zealand.

“It is important that the AEWV settings facilitate the right mix of skilled temporary migrants to address genuine skill and labour shortages, support rebuilding the economy, and to help manage numbers and pressures on core infrastructure, such as schools, housing, and the health system.”

Immigration New Zealand’s changes to the accredited employer work visa (AEWV) policy – will slow down the process for employers while protecting migrants.

This is a step back to pre-covid times and if those employers who were exploiting the migrants had been followed up when reported on, we wouldn’t be faced with this.

How will new Immigration changes impact employers?

The government has just announced immediate changes to the Accredited Employer work visa (AEWV) system. These changes will have quite a significant impact for certain employers.

Greater challenges for bringing over lower skilled workers

The biggest change is new barriers being put in place for bringing in lower skilled workers. Low skilled workers will be determined by the level of the positions as set by Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZCO). Those positions that fall under level 4 and 5 will be considered as lower-skilled.

Signs point to a lift in the unemployment rate

Unlike the persisting strength in the US strong labour market, here at home employment continues to slow. Over February, filled jobs rose 0.3%, slowing the annual pace of job growth to 2.1%. A distinct fall from the 3.6% peak in April last year. What’s most important though, is that job growth continues to fall below population growth. Specifically, that of the working-age population. We’ve had a net 130,000 permanent migrants come into Aotearoa, which was great last year when we were plagued with labour shortages. But that’s just not the case anymore. We’re in recession and labour demand is breaking down. Firms simply don’t need workers with the same desperation as years past and that’s showing up in the numbers now. It all points to further rises in the unemployment rate. We’re expecting that the unemployment rate will reach a peak 5-5.5% late this year. There’ll be pain, but greater slack in the labour market is a must in order to cool domestic inflation and for the RBNZ to deliver rate cuts.

Have a hmmm Moment

The 2024 winter sport season is about to kick off and ACC is getting ahead of the game with a campaign to remind people to ‘Have a hmmm’ before they get stuck in - so they can prevent injuries during pre-season training and throughout their winter sport activity.  

The campaign includes handy training tips for rugby, football, netball, and rugby league – as these account for almost 30% of all sports claims and costs to ACC.  

With two-thirds of injuries happening outside of work, sports injuries can have a significant impact on businesses, an injured employee's workmates and their own whānau. So, you may have an interest in sharing some of the campaign’s prevention information to support employees to stay injury-free this winter.   

 We’ve prepared content and a social media post (please see below) that we would be grateful if you could share with your members, employees, and partners. An image is also attached for you to use. ACC also has useful guides for employers for when injuries do happen – to help support injured employees to safely recover at work.    

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.

Explosive Demolition | New Zealand Defence Force

The New Zealand Defence Force has scheduled intermittent explosive demolition activities at the Trentham Camp Demolitions Range. These operations are planned for Tuesday, 16th of April, and Wednesday, 17th of April, between the hours of 8am and 5pm on both days next week.

Long Term Plan | Upper Hutt City Council

The Upper Hutt City Council has opened its Long Term Plan consultation, inviting community involvement. This year's consultation poses challenging questions, emphasising the importance of public participation. The Council seeks to collaborate with the community on these difficult decisions, urging submissions by 2 May.

Long Term Plan | Hutt City Council

Help Hutt City Council take the next steps with some important decisions for our future city.

The 10 Year Plan Public Consultation is now Open! 

They want to hear what you think about the proposals we’ve made in this draft long term plan. Here you’ll find:

• More information about the four key issues we are consulting on
• Supporting information about asset management, infrastructure, finances and where we've already made savings
• Direct links to our feedback form – click through and have your say today!

They would like to hear from as many people as we can across our business community before consultation closes at 5 pm on Friday 3 May.

You’ll find more about our long term plan in some business FAQs and events where you can turn up to have your say. If you’d like a poster or any campaign materials for use in your staff rooms, in public facing areas in your offices or in your business let us know. You can also present your feedback direct to councillors at hearings on the 15, 16 and 17^th of May.

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. 

Modern Selling #2: Do you know your customer’s 3 Ps?

Sales is not what it used to be. In a slowing economy our customers are reporting that:

1. Deals are taking longer to close, 
2. deals are often being lost to ‘do nothing’ as capital investment is paused, 
3. it is harder to find new opportunities, or
4. there are less inbound leads.

In modern selling you are successful when you are insightful and show your customer new ways of achieving their goals. That’s why in our last blog  we introduced the concept of the 3-P’s: Priority, problem and payback. 

Understanding your customers’ 3-P’s will help you connect to their priorities, create better proposals, shorten sales cycles, and ensure that you have the best chance of future business with the customer. Interested to learn why? Click the button below to read the full article
 

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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