Kia ora ,
There is no doubt that you are busy, but at the same time, it is important to take the time to have your say. Your voice and views, either individually and directly, or through your Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce team, are important contributors to decisions that are made by central and local government.
We are here all the time to get your feedback and ensure that it gets to the right people in central and local government.
On Friday this week, consultation will be opening on the Hutt City Council draft Annual Plan 2023 - 2024.
The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce encourages you to have your say by either:
- Providing your feedback directly to the Hutt City Council using their feedback mechanism. The link which will be open on 31st March is as follows: hutt.city/annualplan2023
- Providing your feedback to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. We will collate the feedback and write to the Council with the views of our business community. Please email me your views at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz.
Please take time to have your say. We are here to support your voice into these important decisions.
Are you thinking about EV Charging for your business?
We have two EV MENNEKES charging columns available for businesses in Lower Hutt City. Check out the information in our newsletter below to put your business forward to receive one of these charging columns.
In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:
- Chamber Updates
- Is Your Business Ready For What's Next? Short Business Confidence Survey
- Regional Updates
Have Your Say On The Hutt City Council Draft Annual Plan
EV Charging – Two MENNEKES Charging Columns Available for Lower Hutt City Businesses
Events
- How Election Year Will Impact Real Estate and Our Economy with Tony Alexander
- Breakfast with David Seymour, ACT Party Leader and Damien Smith, List MP
- Space Day: Celebrating Space Exploration - From the Hutt Valley to NASA
- Training Workshops
- ChatGPT PRO Coaching Webinar
Wellington Business Brief - How Does Leadership Impact Engagement?
- Digital Workshop in Upper & Lower Hutt | Driving Traffic To Your Website
- Member Offers
Featured Guest Speakers from Rotary Hutt City
From Excio and Ana Lyubich Photography
- Employment Opportunities
- Are You Hiring?
CHAMBER UPDATES
Is Your Business Ready For What's Next?
2-minute Business Confidence Survey
In late January we asked Hutt Valley businesses how they were feeling about New Zealand’s economy and the outlook for your business. The results showed some optimism for your business compared to New Zealand.
But is this still playing out?
Please take a moment to complete this survey to help us understand how you are feeling about your business and the New Zealand economy.
Please complete the survey here.
We also have a few quick questions about recycling and rubbish collection at your business. This will help us to engage with the Hutt City Council on this area of interest for some businesses.
The survey is sponsored by Red Hot Business Coaching and Consulting.
REGIONAL UPDATES
Have Your Say On The Hutt City Council Draft Annual Plan
Hutt City Council are consulting on their draft Annual Plan 2023-2024 from 31st March 2023.
This year’s draft Annual Plan will see rates increases. Costs and inflation have escalated significantly since the 10-Year Plan was set, which means Council services and projects cost more. Council have informed us that they are working to find a balance so they can continue investing in the basics while keeping the extra cost to ratepayers as low as possible.
Council are proposing to delay some projects and reduce budgets where possible and increase debt levels responsibly to pay for infrastructure and vital projects set out in the 10-Year Plan. Council will be focusing on investing in essentials and getting the basics right, like critical infrastructure and key services for our city – all while being financially responsible in a difficult economic climate.
Hutt City Council wants to hear your feedback on their proposals, because your thoughts are an important piece of information that elected members rely on when making the final decisions about next year’s budget and work programme. Consultation will be open until 30 April and Council will report back to the public in May/June 2023.
How can you participate in the consultation or provide your feedback?
There are two ways to do this.
- Provide your feedback directly to the Hutt City Council using their feedback mechanism. The link which will be open on 31st March is as follows: hutt.city/annualplan2023
- Provide your feedback to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. We will collate the feedback and write to the Council with the views of our business community. Please email me your views at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz.
EV Charging – Two MENNEKES Charging Columns Available for Lower Hutt City Businesses
The Hutt City Council wants to support a business that wishes to make progress on reducing their transport emissions.
They have two (2) MENNEKES type 2 Socketed charging columns to provide to two businesses. The units are supplied with two outlets that can charge two vehicles at the same time at up to 11kW each. These units will be donated to a business that is deemed to be the most deserving based on their response to this survey.
EVENTS
Next Month:
How Election Year Will Impact Real Estate and Our Economy with Tony Alexander
When: Wednesday 26 April
Time: 05:30pm - 07:30pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St, Lower Hutt
Cost: No Cost
Join us for a Business After 5 focusing on real estate and economics in the Hutt Valley during an election year. This event is sponsored by Platinum Partners, NZME.
Thanks to OneRoof you can keep yourself informed on what to expect from the economy as we head into an election year.
Economist Tony Alexander will explain what is happening and is likely to happen in the economy in a language we can all understand. Focusing on real estate and investments he will give his views on what you should expect during this election year.
This is a great opportunity to hear from an independent economist with a wealth of experience including being Chief Economist BNZ for almost 25 years.
Tony will be joined by John Ross, Professionals, Redcoats Ltd and Ethan Hourigan, Bayleys Wellington C&I.
Drinks & nibbles will be provided and there will be opportunities to network throughout the evening.
Upcoming in May:
Breakfast with David Seymour, ACT Party Leader and Damien Smith, List MP
When: Thursday 04 May
Time: 07:30am - 09:30am
Where: Silverstream Retreat, 3 Reynolds Bach Drive, Stokes Valley
Cost: Members $48 + GST | Non-members $58.00 + GST
As part of the Gibson Sheat Political Series the Hutt Valley Chamber is hosting ACT Party Leader, David Seymour and List MP Damien Smith to talk to our business community bout how ACT Party plan to support businesses.
Speakers:
David Seymour Member for Epsom and Party Leader ACT, spokesperson for Covid-19 response and Finance
David graduated from the University of Auckland in electrical engineering and philosophy, after which he spent time ion Canada as a policy analyst for a Think tank. After a number of years in Canada he returned to NZ and was first elected in 2014
David believes:
Government should be there to help in the hardest of times, but it should not breed dependence or try to impose some people’s vision of the good life on others. When the government taxes and funds services, such as education, it should give people a choice of provider.
On social issues, people should be able to live (and die) as they please so long as they are not harming anyone else.
When: Friday 05 May
Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St, Lower Hutt
Cost: None
Are you curious about all things to do with aerospace, planets, stars and their observation and the science and technology that makes space exploration possible?
It is International Space Day and the Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce is offering you the opportunity to hear from leading scientists from Robinson Research Institute, Astrobiologists from the New Zealand Astrobiology Network and Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington focusing on Clusters of Galaxies.
We encourage you to expand your knowledge and curiosity and learn more about space exploration and the incredible scientists that are carrying out world-leading research and development right here in the Hutt Valley.
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Next Week:
Webinar invite for HVCC members:
ChatGPT PRO Coaching Webinar
When: Tuesday 04 April
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am
Where: Online via Zoom
Cost: Members $15 | Non-members $28.75
Join the ChatGPT PRO Coaching webinar for leaders, teams and professionals on April 4th at 10–11 am NZ time. I have a special discount for the brilliant Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members.
Attention Business Leaders! Want to stay ahead of the competition and drive success? Join me for a webinar on April 4th at 10 am on Zoom to learn about the potential benefits, integration strategies, and ethical considerations of AI and ChatGPT in business.
Don't risk being left behind in this rapidly developing field. This webinar is for you who want to know the basics and what you must and need to do to keep up with the fast-changing AI. It's a hands-on, practical webinar with no sales BS, but it gives you an essential understanding of the ChatGPT you can use immediately.
Take advantage of AI and ChatGPT's potential today. Invest $25 in your future now, and ensure you understand the opportunities and challenges of the ChatGPT for your business. Below is the link to the webinar.
Use the discount code HVCHAMBER and get your ticket for $15.
Wellington Business Brief - How Does Leadership Impact Engagement?
When: Tuesday 09 May
Time: 07:30am - 09:30am
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St, Lower Hutt
Cost: No Cost
Hutt Valley Chamber in Partnership with Dale Carnegie invite you to attend this Global Business Brief.
Dale Carnegie Trainer, Peter Couchman, will provide insights and tips for you to use with your team and staff that will help to overcome the challenges of running a business in the modern world.
Based on 110 years of experience, the session is interactive and engages you to first identify where your challenges lie, or use global examples of these, then participate as they explore means by which to address them.
This session will help you:
- Identify which leadership trends from our research may be impacting your organisation
- Learn how your leaders can drive employee retention and satisfaction
- Uncover common leadership blind spots that may be undermining your corporate culture
- Start to identify your organisation’s leadership performance gaps
Digital Workshop In Lower Hutt:
Driving Traffic To Your Website
When: Wednesday 03 May
Time: 5:15pm - 7:30pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St
Cost: None
Websites are a vital part of building businesses, growing brands, driving leads and creating sales. Is your website doing the job?
At this session, Richard Smith from Synthesis Marketing, will take you through the key steps you can take to make your website work harder and smarter for your business. Whether you are product or service focused, use websites to sell online or to generate enquiries, this session will give you hands on tips and tools aimed at driving more traffic to your website.
Topics to be covered include:
- Making gains by linking website and offline marketing.
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and the keywords that matter to your business.
- Paid online advertising.
- Writing content that works.
- Understanding website backlinks.
- The value of Google’s “Near Me” searches.
- Free resources to boost your efforts.
Synthesis Marketing is the Digital Partner of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Their objective is to create better New Zealand businesses through better marketing.
Digital Workshop In Uppper Hutt:
Driving Traffic To Your Website
When: Tuesday 16 May
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Upper Hutt Library, 844 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt Central
Cost: None
Websites are a vital part of building businesses, growing brands, driving leads and creating sales. Is your website doing the job?
At this session, Richard Smith from Synthesis Marketing, will take you through the key steps you can take to make your website work harder and smarter for your business. Whether you are product or service focused, use websites to sell online or to generate enquiries, this session will give you hands on tips and tools aimed at driving more traffic to your website.
Topics to be covered include:
- Making gains by linking website and offline marketing.
- Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and the keywords that matter to your business.
- Paid online advertising.
- Writing content that works.
- Understanding website backlinks.
- The value of Google’s “Near Me” searches.
- Free resources to boost your efforts.
Synthesis Marketing is the Digital Partner of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Their objective is to create better New Zealand businesses through better marketing.
MEMBER OFFERS
Featured Guest Speakers from Rotary Hutt City
Rotary Hutt City have many projects and community-focused events that appeal to people of all ages.
They have invited some speakers to the Hutt Valley that may be of interest to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members and non-members.
19 April: Scott Fitzgerald/Marie Harris, Asmuss Steel, Seaview.
Scott is the branch manager of the 100-year family-owned Company Asmuss Steel Products based in Seaview.
They recently celebrated their 100 years in business, establishing a Foundation which gave a donation to Innovative Young Minds.
He’ll be speaking about interesting projects they’ve been involved in over the years.
3 May: Nick Leggett, Chief Executive, Transporting NZ
An outspoken advocate for greater transport investment and better-planned outcomes across different transport modes,
Nick is a former Mayor of Porirua and currently chairs the Hutt Mana Charitable Trust and is a Director of Wellington Water and Greater Wellington Rail.
Nick will speak about the critical role of the trucking industry in delivering 93% of New Zealand’s freight and some of the challenges being faced by the sector and how it may decarbonise over time.
For more info, visit: https://rotaryhuttcity.org.nz/Speakers
Free Expert Review Of Your Digital Presence
Looking to enhance your online visual presence with fresh and authentic local photography? Look no further than our Photo Library! For only $500, you can gain access to a vast collection of 500 high-quality images that are sure to make your website, social media pages, and marketing materials stand out.
But that's not all. We're also offering a special one-hour consultation with our experts to help you maximize the impact of your visual content. During this session, you'll learn valuable tips and tricks for using the right visuals to drive more traffic and engagement to your online platforms.
To take advantage of this exciting offer, simply sign up on excio.io and then send a quick note to hello@excio.io to book your free session.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your online presence with stunning, locally sourced photography and expert guidance from our team.
$50 OFF Your Lifestyle or Portrait Photoshoot
Whether you're looking to update your website, create compelling social media content, or produce eye-catching marketing materials, Ana Lyubich Photography has the skills and expertise to help you achieve your goals.
And now, for a limited time only, she is offering a special discount of $50 off your first lifestyle or portrait photoshoot if you are based in the Hutt area.
Don't settle for generic stock images or amateur photography. Trust the professional to help you create a visually engaging online presence that truly reflects your unique personality and style of your business.
Contact Ana today to schedule your photoshoot and take advantage of this exclusive offer.
To book just email ana@excio.io and mention the Chamber offer.
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 contact 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.
