Hi

It was great to host our Women in Business lunch last week in conjunction with our Bronze Partner, iPayroll. We heard from Derelee Potrez-Smith, CEO/Co-Founder of Woolchemy. Derelee talked about how they are innovating to use New Zealand wool in more products and new markets around the globe, eliminating the need for fossil-fuel derived resources. In a tough 2021 for lots of businesses, it was uplifting to hear a story with so much potential for business and our planet.

Has 2021 been a tough year for your business? What are you expecting 2022 might look like?  Has finding staff been an issue for your business? Is Covid-19 still something you are worried about? These are all important questions for your business. They are also important questions for the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce.

We would appreciate your help in completing the latest Business Confidence survey. We use this data in our work to support you and your business, in advising the Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council on the latest business information, and in ensuring that your views about business are top of mind for our focus and work with central government.

So please complete the survey. You can access the survey here . Thank you.

The Business Confidence Survey is sponsored by Red Hot Business Coaching & Consulting -  www.redhot.co.nz

Thanks

Patrick McKibbin
CEO

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Confidence Survey
- November 2021

Here is the latest Business Confidence Survey, sponsored by Red Hot Business Coaching & Consulting. Have your say and tell us how your business has been performing in this challenging business environment.

With our business environment having gone through such challenging and changing times, your responses to this survey help us build a picture of what our business community is experiencing and how we can best support you as we head into 2022.

We truly appreciate you taking the time to give us your valuable feedback.

Tell us what you think here.

The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates

Hutt Valley Covid 19 Vaccination Update

Latest Covid 19 Weekly Updates

GOVERNMENT BACKS BUSINESS TO VACCINATE WORKFORCES

The Government has introduced a range of measures to help protect workplaces and workers from COVID-19.

They have heard the calls from employers and employees to provide certainty on what roles need to be done by vaccinated workers under the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

The Government are mandating vaccination for workers at businesses where customers need to show COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates to make those workplaces as safe as possible and give confidence to staff and customers.

The timing of this coming into force will depend on when the country moves to the COVID-19 Protection Framework. 

For more information click here.

VACCINE PASS FOR DOMESTIC USE AND INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

The Ministry announced that two separate 'vaccine passes' will be put into play - one for domestic use and another for international travel.

'My Vaccine Pass' will be an official record of a person's Covid-19 vaccination status and will help people access places within New Zealand that require proof of vaccination.

A separate pass will be used for international travel, which will be available shortly.

Data will be carried in a QR code, and the Ministry is building a free app to scan the vaccine pass.

The Ministry said it was also building a verifier app that would be available for free on the App Store and Google Play, for anyone to use to scan and verify a My Vaccine Pass.

Read the full article here.

SUPPORTING YOUR STAFF TO BE VACCINATED

A fully vaccinated workforce will help keep your workplace safe from COVID-19. You can help workers make an informed decision and encourage them and their whānau to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

For more information click here.

VACCINE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS WITHIN THE TRAFFIC
LIGHT SYSTEM

Vaccine certificate requirements will play a big role in the new traffic light framework for businesses.

At all levels of the new Traffic Light System, businesses, retail, and public facilities will generally be able to remain open for vaccinated people.

Businesses, events, organisations, community, and a range of sectors may legally choose to implement a vaccination entry requirement for customers.

If a business, organisation or service does not wish to request proof of vaccination, they will have to operate with strict limits on capacity and space requirements. They may need to close in Orange and/or Red levels.

To learn more about Vaccine Certificates requirements under the Traffic Light System levels click here.

Accessing the Government Financial Support

WAGE SUBSIDY #6

Applications for the sixth round of the August 2021 Wage Subsidy are now open. You can apply until 11:59pm, 11 November 2021. 

The previous Wage Subsidy payments have now ended. You can no longer apply for these, but the Government may still be processing some applications and making payments.

For more information click here.

RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT

Applications for a 4th Resurgence Support payment opened on 29 October. This payment will stay at the current rate of $1,500 plus $400 per full-time equivalent employee, up to a maximum of 50 full-time equivalent employee.

Applications are presently still open for the first three Resurgence Support payments. However, be aware that these three Resurgence Support payments close on 1 December. 

For more information click here

Subsequent payments will be for $3,000 plus $800 per full-time equivalent, still up to a maximum of 50 per full-time equivalent.

The frequency of the payments will also change. Resurgence Support payments will be available fortnightly from 12 November, until Auckland moves into the new Covid Protection Framework.

Information on how to apply here.

BUSINESS AT DELTA LEVEL 2

Information on doing business at Level 2 here.

MANDATORY RECORDING OF VISITORS in effect now.

For more information click here.

Hutt Valley Business News

Are You Ready To Grab The Opportunities

Come along and have your say at this job forum to see how we can join forces with other businesses, key government organisations, GWRC, Wellington Water, mana whenua and training organisations to fill jobs, train locals and plan for the future. 

The job forum on Thursday 25 November, 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Wellington Regional School of Construction (Weltec), 18 Western Hutt Road, Korokoro.

To find our more email Rory at rory.leonard@huttcity.govt.nz.

Closing Down Over The Festive Season

Information For Employers On Dealing With Leave Over
The Holidays

Some businesses may close down over the festive season each year. The closedown may affect some or all parts of the business. During a closedown, employees can be required to take annual holidays with at least 14 days' notice.

For more information click here.

Career Advisors Helping Young People Into The World Of Building And Construction

The Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce and Careers Advisors from across the Hutt Valley, Wellington and Porirua had the opportunity to visit the team at LT McGuinness Ltd this week to talk about how schools and their business could work more closely together to help young people into the world of building and construction.

LT McGuinness Ltd are an amazing company now employing over 300 people across Aotearoa. They have a family orientated culture that supports young people to be successful in their chosen pathway. Kerrin Manuel talked about the silver lining of Covid-19 being the focus by their business on the youth in Aotearoa.

We were lucky to be joined by Sean McGuinness who provided some great insight into their business and how he wanted to help young people to build their networks. So good to hear this amount of passion and commitment from a business leader. Great to see so many interested Careers Advisors taking up the opportunity.

Upcoming Events

We look forward to hosting our new members on 18 November at our New Members Function sponsored by Gold Partner, Spark Business Wellington. This is a fabulous opportunity for new members to meet each other, along with our Chamber team and Partners. If you have become a new member in the last year, you will be receiving an invitation shortly. To find out more, contact Annette at annette@hvchamber.org.nz, or call 04 939 9821.

Dave Morgan, GM, LINK Business Broking Wellington is presenting a seminar on organising your exit strategy and becoming sale ready. 

Dave Morgan will talk to you about what it means to be ‘Sale Ready’ and the importance of being able to engage with a potential purchaser should they come knocking on your door.

LINK Business Broking are New Zealand’s leading specialists in buying and selling businesses. They have award winning valuation and marketing tools which allows them to deliver advice that is both informed and current. The team of experienced brokers have extensive market knowledge, experience and are well equipped to deliver sound and comprehensive advice to meet your business needs.

These seminars are generally well atte­­­nded so make sure you book your seat early.

Book now seats are filling fast

Join us for lunch and hear from the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Judith Collins. There will also be opportunity for Q&A.

Due to the change in alert levels, all of our events are subject to change.  Events taking place at level 2 will require participants to follow Covid 19 protocols, including mask wearing and social distancing.

Members Offers

Z Energy Member Offer

Sign up for a Z Business Partner for Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce fuel card and receive 12c off every litre all summer, along with everyday discounts and rewards. 

Use promo code CHAMBERCENSAVE. 

Hurry, offer ends November 24.

Apply at: www.z.co.nz/business

Torpedo7 Member Offer

Torpedo7 has partnered with The Chamber to offer members fantastic savings on products in its Torpedo7 stores nationwide. Simply call the Chamber to get your membership number to access trade discounts across the range. Torpedo7 also offers businesses a range of support services including: 

Payment Options: We can customise payment options to suit your business needs (including account credit terms).

- Commercial after sales services
- Tailored product solutions and promotions
- Bike servicing at our great instore workshops

For more information call Torpedo7 on 0800 867 733 or visit www.torpedo7.co.nz. Come and visit our store in Porirua.

Christmas Is Coming

Vacancies From Members

Front Of House Positions

Chamber Member Petone Working Men’s Club is on the look out for Front of House Superstars!

This is an exciting and varied role that will have you working across the Food and Beveridge Departments – Restaurant, Function Rooms and Bar as well as Reception, Gaming Lounges and TAB.

Part Time Weekends and Evenings available, a perfect opportunity to earn while you learn, with a roster that suits University Students and the likes.

As team player, you’ll thrive in a busy environment, the meaning of hard work is understood, with equal portions of fun served and a side of laughter dished up along the way!

This is a great opportunity to work and train with a wonderful, fun team across several areas of the Club, with an added bonus of discounted meals and free parking whilst on duty, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

For more information about this role please click here.

Current Student Vacancies

We have a number of new vacancies on our website. These positions are suitable for students or school leavers.

- Patrick McKibbin, CEO and the Chamber Team

Keep your network up to date by inviting others to receive the Hutt Valley Business Weekly here.

Thank you to all our Partners

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