Hi

Through each year the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce asks businesses across the region to tell us how they are doing, how they think the business environment is looking for the future, and what areas of their business operations are keeping them awake at night. We completed our final 2021 Business Confidence Survey just recently and it is certainly a changing picture.

Business confidence in earlier 2021 surveys have been relatively positive. However this survey is showing quite a change. Some of the key areas of change are:

Significant changes in the businesses expecting their business, the Wellington region, and New Zealand to be impacted over the next 6-12 months
Labour market is continuing to tighten with increasing labour turnover and businesses finding it harder to find specialist, skilled and unskilled employees
Covid 19 continues to be a significant factor in driving how businesses feel about the future
Increasing concern around supply chains and availability of raw materials for their business

It is not all bad though, with many businesses busier than ever. However, I would say there is a change in confidence on the horizon. You can read more and get into the detailed responses in the newsletter below.

If you would like to discuss any aspects of the survey or just provide some feedback please feel free to contact me at any time via email at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz or phone on 021 248 1203.

Thanks

Patrick McKibbin
CEO

The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates

HUTT VALLEY REGION AT ALERT LEVEL ORANGE

The Hutt Valley and the Wellington region are at Alert Level Orange in the new Covid 19 Protection Framework, known as the traffic light system.

For more information on the Covid Protection Framework click here.

MY VACCINE PASS

My Vaccine Pass is an official record of a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status and provides access to places within New Zealand that require proof of vaccination under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

For more information and to apply for your 'My Vaccine Pass' click here.

NZ BUSINESS PASS VERIFER

The Ministry of Health's NZ Pass Verifier scans and verifys your customers. It is called called, 'My Vaccine Pass'.

If you run a business in NZ and need to scan your customers My Vaccine Pass QR codes, download the free NZ Pass Verifier here.

RAPID ANTIGEN COVID 19 TESTS FOR BUSINESSES

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can be a useful and quick COVID-19 surveillance tool for businesses. See information on:

the benefits of RATs for businesses
how to prepare your workplace for RATs
what to do if a worker gets a positive RAT result

To get more information click here

Accessing the Government Financial Support

NEW - TRANSITION PAYMENT AS BUSINESSES MOVE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM

The Government has announced a one-off transition payment for businesses as we move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system).

This payment will be made available through the Resurgence Support Payment.

The one-off transition payment is $4000 plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), up to 50 FTE. The maximum payment is $24,000.

The eligibility criteria is the same as the Resurgence Payment. Applications for the Transition Payment open on 10 December 2021.

For more information click here.

HURRY CLOSING SOON - WAGE SUBSIDY #8

The #8 COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 will close this Thursday, 9 December at 11:59pm. As New Zealand is moving to the traffic light system on 2 December, this is the last of the COVID-19 August 2021 payments.

For more information click here.

RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT

Applications for the 4th, 5th and 6th Resurgence Support Payments will close at midnight on 13 January 2022.

For Information on how to apply click here.

Help For Your Business During December

Vaccination Milestone for the Upper Hutt

Great news for Upper Hutt with 90% of the eligible population now vaccinated. Lower Hutt City is nearly there too, at 89% double vaccination.

Does your business need some help to get shift workers vaccinated? A local DHB recently held an all-night vaccination clinic for shift workers and successfully vaccinated some workers that had found it more challenging to get their vaccine. If this type of event might be of benefit to your business, please get in touch with patrick@hvchamber.org.nz and he will connect you to our local DHB to see how they can help.

The Covid Protection Framework
Your Questions Answered !

Last week our CEO, Patrick McKibbin, spoke with Ginny Anderson MP about the specific details of the Covid Protection Framework and how it will potentially effect businesses across the Hutt Valley region.

They discussed the following topics:

food and beverage hospitality services
events and group activities
general retail rules
specific retail rules
close contact services
workplaces

The framework is designed to keep people safe and keep businesses operating, so following these new rules is important.

If you are have any questions regarding the changes to the Covid Protection Framework please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

To view the video click here.

Hutt Valley Business News

Business Confidence Survey
December 2021

Here is the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce December 2021 Business Confidence Survey, Sponsored by Bronze Partners, Red Hot Business Coaching & Consulting.

The key findings from the report is above, but to view the full December 2021 Business Confidence Survey click here.

Impact Of COVID-19 On Worldwide Shipping and The Ongoing Effects And Issues

Here is the latest live webinar hosted by Patrick McKibbin, CEO, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Patrick spoke with our Gold Partners, Blair Morgan, Wellington Branch Manager and Priya Shama, Wellington Sales Manager from 360 Logistics Group. They provided an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the shipping industry.

Priya and Blair outlined the major issues we have faced over the last 12-18 months, then they talked about the current market conditions and how they will affect business.

To view this webinar click here.

Board Members and Partners Christmas Party

Last Friday we hosted a Christmas Event Sponsored by our Platinum Partners, Kendons Chartered Accountants at the Petone Working Men's Club to thank our Board Members and Partners for all their support throughout the year.

This year our Platinum Partner, Kendons Chartered Accountants, the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and our guests donated food to the Te Omanga Hospice to fill their pantry for Christmas. Thank you to everyone for all their donations.

The Chamber and Kendons Chartered Accountants also donated a day of care to the Te Omanga Hospice. To find out how you can donate click here.

Mark Skelly President of the Board, gave a short speech acknowledging the Chamber's achievements over a challenging year and thanked everyone for their support to make this possible. We then all took part in a Christmas Quiz before networking. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Members Offers

Members Events

Te Omanga Golf Tournament

Get your business registered today to support the Te Omanga Hospice, Golf Tournament. For more information or to register email Debbie at events@teomanga.org.nz.

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 email generalmanager@petoneclub.co.nz.