This week we sent you an email to advise you of two significant engagement and feedback opportunities regarding proposed increases to rates across our region. It's important for you to have your say on these proposals from both of our local councils. The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce will be making submissions so we would welcome the opportunity to include your feedback in our submissions.
The opportunity for engagement and feedback is really important as what we've seen in our latest Business Confidence Survey at the end of March is what I would describe as a ‘Perfect Storm’ of challenges that businesses are facing. Businesses have indicated there is a combination of challenges that are making it really difficult for them. The results indicate that businesses continue to face the challenges of dealing with COVID-19, finding talent, rising inflation, and the cost of goods and services to run their business. Many are indicating the need to increase the selling price of their products as their average costs increase, which in turn may affect profitability. You can read the full results of the survey below.
So please have your say, either directly, or via the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce submission. Just call me on 021 248 1203, reply to this email, or email at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz to let me know what you want to say.
NOTE: There will be no Hutt Valley Business Weekly next week.
In this week's issue of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly we are pleased to include:
- Perfect Storm For Business Confidence
- Employers' Obligations For The Upcoming Holidays
- Important Immigration News For Employers
- Orange For Easter: NZ Moves To Traffic Light Setting Orange Tonight At 11:59PM
- Our 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM)
- The 2022 Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Are Coming
Upcoming Events
- BNZ Tech Series - Tech & Innovation (May 2022)
- Free Upcoming Training
- 3 Steps To Meaningful Online Meetings Workshop
- How To Mentally Cope With Stressful Situations Training
- Member Offers - Free Trials
- A Mental Wellbeing App To Support Kids - 6 Months Off
- Pay Sauce - Payroll App - 1 Month Off
Perfect Storm for Business Confidence
The latest Hutt Valley Business Confidence Survey at the end of March indicates that the Hutt Valley business community is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of challenges. On top of many businesses dealing with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including staff having to isolate over the last few months, businesses are continuing to face other barriers. These include finding talent, rising inflation, and the cost of goods and services to run their business. These challenges don’t look like they are going away any time soon with business indicating they are likely to continue for the next 3 to 6 months. Businesses' ability to ‘meet changes in customer demand since COVID-19’ are being greatly impacted, which is likely to drive decisions by businesses to increase the selling price of their products as their average costs increase, which in turn drives lower profitability.
You can read more about how businesses are feeling and see the data from the survey here.
Employers' Obligations For The Upcoming Public Holidays
There are a number of public holidays over the next few weeks, and it is important for employers to manage your obligations around leave correctly.
The public holidays include:
- 15 April – Good Friday
- 18 April – Easter Monday
- 25 April – ANZAC Day
Please note Easter Sunday is a restricted trading day, but not a public holiday. If you open on Easter Sunday, you can pay your staff their normal wage. They are not owed an alternative paid holiday.
When a public holiday falls on a day your employee would usually work, they’re entitled to a paid day off, no matter how long they’ve been working for you. If they agree to work anyway, you must:
- Pay them at least time and a half
- Give them another paid day off later (a day in lieu).
You can only require an employee to work on a public holiday if it’s written into their employment agreement and it’s a day they would usually work. Otherwise, you can ask an employee to work on a public holiday, but they don’t have to agree.
More information can be found here.
Important Immigration News -
Are You An Employer Who Supplements Your Work Force With Migrants?
From 4 July 2022, there are significant changes coming to the Immigration process for hiring migrant workers. Immigration New Zealand is introducing a new Employer Accreditation. It will become mandatory to be accredited to employ a worker on the Employer Accredited Work Visa (AEWV).
You can read more about the new Employer Accreditation here.
For specialist support
Please get in contact with Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce member Woburn International at 04 569 4861 or services@woburn.co.nz if you need support.
Orange For Easter: NZ Moves To Traffic Light Setting Orange Tonight At 11:59PM
The country will move to the less restrictive Orange traffic light pandemic response setting from 11.59pm tonight. Wednesday, April 13th.
COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced the decision earlier today saying the "overall picture is a very positive one".
To read more about life at Orange, click here.
For face mask requirements click here.
Our 78th Annual General Meeting (AGM)
We would like to invite you to attend our AGM on Tuesday, 24 May 2022.
The Chamber is currently seeking nominees with strong governance skills, a passion for the Hutt Valley’s growth and a wide business experience. The Board is made up of eight members, including the President, and three co-opted members. There are two vacancies for the 2022/2023 Board elections.
For members attending we request that you are seated at the venue no later than 5.25pm on the day. There will be no entry allowed after 5.30pm.
We look forward to seeing you at Level 3, DSV House, 15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt on Tuesday 24th May 2022.
To register your interest to attend the AGM please click here.
To nominate your preferred candidate please find the form here.
The 2022 Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Are Coming
Entries for the prestigious Wellington Region Business Excellence Awards open on Friday, July 1st which will be celebrated at a black-tie gala hosted by the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors on Friday, November 18th.
The awards, now in their 14th year, celebrate local businesses that contribute to the region's vibrant and successful business community, and our local economy.
There are 11 categories for the awards, which include: Manufacturing, Technology and Innovation, Hospitality, Tourism and Retail, Service and Support, Construction, Trades and Infrastructure, Logistics and Export, Not for Profit, Best Emerging Business, Employer Excellence through Covid, and Environmental Excellence.
The overall winner selected from the category winners will be awarded the Supreme Business of the Year Award. The Awards will also induct a business into the Hall of fame.
Entries close on Friday, September 16th at 5pm and finalists will be announced and celebrated at a Finalist Function on Thursday, October 27th.
For more information and updates on the awards click here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor contact Annette on:
04 9399821 or annette@hvchamber.org.nz.
Have Your Say - Greater Wellington Proposed Revenue and Financing Policy Consultation
Greater Wellington is seeking your feedback on the proposed changes to the Revenue and Financing Policy.
The Revenue and Financing policy describes how Greater Wellington intends to fund its expenditure. It outlines the sources of funding that Council intends to use and the relative level of funding from each source, for each activity.
A consultation document has been developed to help you clearly understand what the proposed changes are and why Greater Wellington is doing it, so you can make an informed submission. There are some key areas we are seeking your feedback on.
You can access the documents and take the survey here. Submissions close 5pm on Wednesday 20 April 2022.
The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce will be making a submission on behalf of Hutt Valley Businesses. If you have feedback and would like to be part of this submission please email patrick@hvchamber.org.nz or phone Patrick on 021 248 1203.
Financial Support Available For Workers In Self-Isolation
There are also, two different payments available when workers need to self-isolate because of COVID-19 or are waiting on a test result and can't work from home. These are the:
- COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme
- COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment.
Employers or the self-employed can apply for these payments to help pay wages. There are no revenue tests.
To find out more about these payment options, click here.
LOCAL NEWS & UPDATES
ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Lower Hutt
Due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, commemoration services for ANZAC Day will look a little different this year. There will be a scaled-back dawn service to remember the conflicts of our past and present, and to honour those who served. The public are welcome to attend, but please remember to follow COVID-19 guidance, and do not attend if you are unwell. To keep numbers at the dawn service within public health guidelines, we ask you to consider standing at your gate or commemorating ANZAC Day with friends and family in a way that is meaningful to you.
There is also a pop-up poppy field on Andrews Avenue from 18-26 April, where the public are welcome to lay poppies and pay their respects.
Where: Cenotaph, adjacent to the
Lower Hutt Memorial Library, Riddiford Garden, Anzac Lawn
When: Monday 25 April 2022
Time: 6:00am
Please note there will be no civic service in 2022.
Enter the 2022 Diversity Award NZ™
Last year Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce member Hutt Gas and Plumbing was the Small-Medium Organisation Winner of the Diverse Talent award at the 2021 Diversity Award NZ™. For many years they have supported Women into Trades careers after they were approached by a future female plumber and gasfitter whose request for an apprenticeship had been turned down by 25 businesses. Colleen Upton, General Manager of Hutt Gas and Plumbing knew she needed to drive industry change, starting in her own workplace.
Now is your chance to showcase the amazing work your organisation is doing to increase diversity, equity and inclusion within your workplace and put people at the core of what you do. Be part of the 25th celebration of this prestigious national awards programme – it’s free to enter and all the information you need is right here.
Finding Staff To Support You Through Omicron
We expect that many businesses will have developed business continuity plans to support your business through any disruption created by the Omicron variant. You may be splitting your teams in some way if you can, or simply planning for the disruption of staff needing to isolate. This may mean you need staff for short periods of time to provide some cover. We can help with this.
The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Street Programme have worked with the Ministry of Social Development to come up with a way to help:
- Match employers with someone on the Jobseeker benefit for whatever length of time required. i.e. a day, a week or more
- Streamline the process with only a few details required
- Eligibility for the MSD Wage Subsidy if the employment turns out to be longer term.
To view a summary of this opportunity click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our BNZ Tech Series Is Back For 2022
We're back alongside our Platinum Sponsor, BNZ, with Our Technology & Innovation Series.
Join us for our first of 3 evenings celebrating tech and innovation in the Hutt Valley featuring local businesses and hearing from 3 speakers from different industries.
Featured speakers on the night include:
- Audrea Topps Harjo - Chief Operations Officer at A44 Games,
- Marie-Claire Andrews - Head of Sales and Marketing at PaySauce
- Colin Robson - Branch Manager and Director at HTS Group Limited.
When: Thursday 19 May
Time: 5:30am - 7:30pm
Where: BNZ Partners Centre, 45 Knights Road, Lower Hutt
Price: From $25 + GST
ACT's Plan To Support Businesses
As part of our Gibson Sheat Political Series, the Hutt Valley Chamber is hosting a breakfast with David Seymour, ACT Party Leader and MP for Epsom. He is also the spokesperson for the COVID-19 response and Finance.
This is an opportunity for the Business community to hear how ACT would support the business community and will talk to areas that our business community have identified as barriers to improving their confidence.
When: Wednesday 08 June
Time: 7:30am - 9:30am
Where: Boulcott's Farm Heritage Golf Club
Price: From $45 + GST
2022 Budget Debrief With The Minister of Finance
As part of the Gibson Sheat Political Series the Hutt Valley Chamber is hosting Hon Grant Robertson - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Infrastructure, Racing, Sport & Recreation for a lunch.
This is an opportunity for the Business community to hear an update on the 2022 Budget and what it means for business. This is also a chance to hear about what plan the Labour Government have to support the growth of business and the economy in coming years as NZ recovers from the effects of COVID-19 and addresses other challenges businesses are facing.
When: Tuesday 14 June
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Where: Silverstream Retreat
Price: From $45 + GST
UPCOMING TRAINING
3 Steps To Meaningful Online Meetings - Free Online Meetings Mastery Workshop
Hutt Valley Chamber Member Jussi Lukkonen is offering two free online training events in May. These short, sharp sessions are packed full of helpful tips & tricks.
Jussi can help you achieve more. He has 30+ years of experience in Coaching, Facilitation and Content Production. He has been working as a Leader, Strategist, and Creative Solutions Expert in Europe and New Zealand. Jussi’s core offering is coaching, mentoring and facilitating leaders, entrepreneurs and their teams to become more successful and results-driven. His motto is: Let’s Bring The Best Out In People!
After this first session you will:
- Learn how to save time, money and nerves by following three easy steps to boost your online meetings.
- Learn quick fixes to make tremendous improvements and get more out of your online meetings.
- Have a fun and interactive workshop on mastery of online meetings
When: Tuesday 3 May 2022
Time: 12 pm - 12:45pm
Where: Online
Price: No Cost
How To Mentally Cope With Stressful Situations - Free Resilience Training
Chamber member Savvy Up has partnered up with Heartfulness, a worldwide non-profit to run a "Heartful Resilience" session.
By the end of the session, you will:
- Know what resilience is
- Know the science behind resilience
- Learn how our emotions contribute to a crisis
- Learn how we create our own reality and how we can change it
- Find out a unique approach to resilience by reducing the crisis in the first place rather than managing it once it hits us
- Experience Heartfulness Relaxation.
When: Monday 9 May 2022
Time: 12 - 1pm
Where: Online
Price: No Cost
Future Events & Training
We have several more events and training workshops coming up throughout the year. These will include:
- Business After Five networking events
- Gibson Sheat's Political Series
- BNZ Technology & Innovation Series
- Business Safaris
- Women in Business Events
- Learning & Development workshops from our partners
Plus many more!
To stay up to date with all our events & training, keep an eye out on future issues of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to see these events as they come up.
MEMBER OFFERS
A Mental Wellbeing App To Support Kids - 6 Month Subscription For Free
Do you have kids or know of someone that does that would benefit from additional support to strengthen their well-being, resilience, calmness, and confidence?
‘Imagine App’ is the brainchild of over two years of work from Chamber member, Kaleidoscope Solutions to empower children to feel happy, confident, and good in their own skin.
The app was released on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store under ‘Imagine Stories’ earlier this year. A web version of the app is also available.
Right now, they have an exclusive offer for you and your kids. A free 6-month subscription to the ‘Imagine App’. You can use the same login details across the web, Google and Apple versions. Click here to access this exclusive offer from their website.
Exclusive Members Offer From PaySauce
Paysauce offers payroll calculations, payday filing, and timesheets, all in one simple app for your mobile and desktop.
Join the many business advisors, accountants & bookkeepers using the app to offer payroll to their clients.
PaySauce is currently offering one free month for Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce members. Click here for more details.
Jussi Luukkonen At Your Service
We are delighted to welcome Jussi Luukkonen. A member of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is a Leadership Coach, Facilitator, Speaker and Author.
He is currently running a promotion for our members with a 10% discount on his services which includes: Coaching, Workshop Facilitation and Presentation Skills.
For more info call 021 999 652 or email jussi@jussiluukkonen.com.
EMPLOYMENT
Are You An Admin Support Star?
Small Business Accounting Lower Hutt is looking for a friendly person to join their small team in an administrative role. In exchange, they are offering a flexible role.
SBA specialises in small to medium-sized businesses, sole trader, trust and rental properties.
You must be confident in person and on the phone with clients and should be able to bring your skills with Microsoft Excel, Word and Office 365.
Sound like you and want to find out more?
View the job description and show your expression of interest here.
Do You Have A Role That You'd Like To Get Filled?
Contact Andrew our Employment Coordinator. You can reach him on: andrew@hvchamber.org.nz or call 049399821.
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.
To view our vacancies, click here.
Thank you to all our Partners
As always, special thanks to all our Members and Partners for your ongoing support.
