Hi

Everywhere you turn in the Hutt Valley innovation and business excellence is thriving.

In Seaview the Wellington Electric Boat Company is getting very close to carrying passengers on Ika Rere. This ferry, currently finishing sea trials, will be the southern hemisphere’s first fully electric high-speed passenger ferry. The ferry will carry up to 135 passengers on her daily commute from Days Bay to Queens Wharf.

Meanwhile, two Hutt Valley businesses were recognised for their excellence at the 2021 Export NZ ASB Wellington Export Awards. Woolyarns claimed the Wellington School of Business and Government Judge’s Choice Award. At the same awards Hutt Valley tube perforator manufacturer Sanpro Industries won the Wellington NZ Excellence in Innovation Award.

And finally, The New Zealand Campus Of Innovation and Sport is well on the way to completing what will be one of the most technologically advanced sports innovative campuses globally.

A huge congratulations to these businesses. Go Hutt Valley innovation and excellence. You can read more about these stories in this newsletter.

Last week we welcomed some fantastic new members to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce thanks to our Gold Partner Spark Business Hub Hutt-Porirua. They included Genibyte Solutions Ltd, Spring Coaching, Hui Kitchens, Ross Kinzett - Mike Pero Mortgages, Generate Insights Ltd, Gem Legal and Atco Steel. It was great to have a range of our partners in attendance to hear more about these businesses and share their stories. The way in which businesses can support each other was really highlighted. I am sure these new connections will result in some new business relationships.

Reach out to me at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz if you have any questions about our advocacy work or the survey.

Thanks

Patrick McKibbin
CEO

Business Confidence Survey

We would also like to hear from you about how you are feeling about the current environment for your business, and how you think things will be across our region and across New Zealand. We would like to hear about your challenges and your opportunities.

We would appreciate you taking the time to complete the survey which you can access here.

The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates

Hutt Valley Covid 19 Vaccination Update

Latest Covid 19 Weekly Updates

DATE SET FOR MOVE TO NEW FRAMEWORK

The Government has announced the whole country will transition to the new COVID-19 Protection Framework, known as the traffic light system at 11:59pm on 2 December 2021.

Cabinet will determine on 29 November which settings in the new framework the different parts of the country will move into. It has already been decided Auckland will move across at Red. Vaccination levels will determine which settings the rest of the country will move too.

It is a great time to familiarise yourself and your business with the new framework, including the Traffic Light system and settings.

More information click here.

NZ BUSINESS PASS VERIFER

The Ministry of Health has launched the NZ Pass Verifier which helps businesses to scan and verify their customers’ called, 'My Vaccine Pass'.

If you run a business in NZ and need to scan your customers My Vaccine Pass QR codes the free NZ Pass Verifier is now ready.

To get more information and to download it click here.

MY VACCINE PASS

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

My Vaccine Pass has a QR code that can be scanned upon arrival at a venue. The pass can be downloaded to your personal phone and stored in your Apple or Google Wallet, or may be printed out.

A separate International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, which provides proof of your vaccination status in order to enter overseas countries, can also be requested if you need one.

To apply for your 'My Vaccine Pass' click here.

VACCINE MANDATE FOR HOSPITALITY AND 'CLOSE CONTACT' WORKERS

The Government announced that any business where a vaccine certificate is required, the staff and their clients must be vaccinated.

This includes hospitality, events, gyms, hairdressers and any business that has close proximity to their clients.

For more information click here.

AUCKLAND BOUNDARY CHANGE - 15 DECEMBER

The Government announced that Auckland boundary settings will change on 15 December, allowing Aucklanders who have been vaccinated or tested to be able to reconnect with the rest of New Zealand in time for Christmas and summer.

To minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading from Auckland to other parts of the country travellers will have to be either fully vaccinated or have a negative test within 72 hours of departure. This requirement will be in place for the core summer period of December 15 2021 to January 17 2022.

For more information click here.

Accessing the Government Financial Support

WAGE SUBSIDY #8

A new Wage Subsidy August 2021 #8 will be open for applications from 9am, Friday 26 November. Applications for Wage Subsidy August 2021 #7 close at 11.59pm on 25 November.

For more information click here.

RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT

A 5th payment under the Resurgence Support Payment scheme started on 5 November 2021 and will end immediately before all areas of New Zealand return to alert level 1 or are at Orange or Green under the COVID-19 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

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

Join us for our latest live webinar hosted by Patrick McKibbin, CEO, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce who will be speaking with our Gold Partners, Blair Morgan, Wellington Branch Manager and Priya Shama, Wellington Sales Manager from 360 Logistics Group. They will provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the shipping industry.

Priya and Blair will outline the major issues faced over the last 12-18 months, then a focus on the current market conditions and how they affect business.

360 Logistics Group is an independent and privately owned organisation that specialises in international trade facilitation and the increasingly complex supply chain and logistics industry.

What sets 360 Logistics Group apart from their competition is the unique and innovative approach to managing the value chain of international logistics and the movement of goods. They believe that the value component of a robust supply chain lies in the ability to form and develop partnerships with like-minded businesses both locally and globally.

In addition they take a holistic approach working alongside their customers when developing customised solutions, taking into consideration differing modes, the suppliers ability to meet deadlines, seasonal logistics peaks, border and commerce compliance. Even the value of goods to be moved or the ability to reuse import equipment for export shipments to design a true end to end logistics business model. In a nutshell they do not accept that it always has to be done the same way.

This webinar will be held on Thursday 2 December at 10:00am, live on our Hutt Valley Chamber Facebook page.

Globally Recognised Projects Right Here On Our Doorstep

The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport in Upper Hutt is a multimillion dollar, multi discipline training facility that will provide accommodation, physical training areas and performance data collection and analysis services. Partnering with NTT the sports hub is set to be one of the most technologically advanced sports innovation campuses globally.

The development is well underway as Chamber Member Gillies Group work with a number of local and International businesses on this huge project. With pools fitted, sports fields being prepared, athletes village construction underway, roofs being added and NTT ready to install computer rooms, we are really excited to see this project continue to go from strength to strength. For updates on NZCIS Sports Hub visit their Facebook page.

We are always amazed to see projects like these taking place right here in the Hutt Valley and involving so many local businesses. See the video below showing the progress.

Southern Hemisphere’s First Fully Electric, High Speed Passenger Ferry Is Nearing Completion Of Sea Trials In Seaview

Ika Rere is a 19m carbon fibre-constructed catamaran built for East by West Ferries by Wellington Electric Boat Building Company (WEBBCo). She will carry up to 135 passengers on her daily commute from Queens Wharf to Days Bay at an optimum service speed of 20 knots.

After a delayed launch due to Covid-19 restrictions, the ferry has been undergoing sea trials over the past couple of months, and East by West Ferries hopes to have her in service before the end of the year.

“It has been a challenging journey, for various reasons,” says Fraser Foote, an experienced composite boatbuilder, project manager and business owner, and now Managing Director of WEBBCo. “But we’ve done it. It’s incredible to see her on the water and quite frankly, exceeding our expectations in terms of performance and operational efficiency. There’s nothing else like her in operation at the moment in the southern hemisphere, and we think the world. It’s created a lot of interest and it's great that Seaview is at the forefront of what looks like becoming a strong Kiwi electric maritime industry. ”

Read the full article here. To view their website click here.

Photo By Simon Hoyle

2021 NZ Export Awards -
Two Hutt Valley Businesses Claim Awards

We would like to congratulate two of our Hutt Valley Chamber Members' for winning awards at the 2021 Export NZ ASB Wellington Export Awards.

Tube perforator manufacturer Sanpro Industries won the Wellington NZ Excellence in Innovation Award. This award recognises the committed customer support and continuous innovation that has allowed the Petone based company to lead its industry worldwide.

Sanderson Machines are world leaders in high speed tube perforating and louver technology. Along with building the fastest tube perforator on the planet they also offer a large range of machinery and tooling solutions to suit your application and budget.

Woolyarns in Lower Hutt won the Wellington School of Business and Government Judge’s Choice Award. This award recognises their exceptional resilience in navigating a challenging pandemic.

They are yarn engineers and produce luxurious natural fibre yarns that are custom made to inspire great textile manufacturers to make market-leading high-fashion products.

Youth Inspire Visit To Chamber Member Black Diamond Technology

On Monday 22nd November our CEO, Patrick McKibbin, Amanda and Andrew our Employment Coordinators visited Chamber member Black Diamond Technology with some rangatahi from our Gold Partner, Youth Inspire where they experienced a day in the life of an employee in a large warehouse and logistics operation.

Kate Gibson, Manager – Strategic and Resource Planning from BDT, along with their warehouse manager discussed the roles within this environment, from pick packing small orders, working with local courier firms through to processing and coordinating large shipments involving national and international shipping channels.

Seeing the team working and having a lot of fun doing so resonated strongly with these rangatahi.

The demonstration of precision forklift operation was a real highlight!

Have you heard of The Tune-Up?

Platinum Partner Kendons Accountants are one of Xero's aspirational advisory partners and they were fortunate to be asked to participate in their upcoming virtual event 'The Tune-Up'. Last week, their office turned into a film set as they recorded some awesome content for the event. They took the camera around the office to meet some of the team, answering questions about their journey to advisory and giving a virtual tour of the Kendon's office.

When: 12:00pm to 2:00pm, Friday 26 November

You can register for the Tune-up and meet the Kendons team by registering here.

New Member Function - Overview

Last Thursday we had the opportunity to welcome some of our new members to the Chamber with our new member function sponsored by Gold Partner Spark Business Hub Kapiti- Porirua.

The Chamber team and some of our Board members and partners welcomed, Genibyte Solutions Ltd, Spring Coaching, Hui Kitchens, Ross Kinzett- Mike Pero Mortgages, Generate Insights Ltd, Gem Legal and Atco Steal.

It was fantastic opportunity to for our partners to share a little about their businesses and why they are involved with the Chamber and for our new members to tell us all about their businesses.

We really enjoyed being able to welcome everyone and share how we are here to support, advocate, inform and provide you with opportunities to connect with other businesses through events and training.

We plan to run a full calendar of events next year including New Member events like these, both in person and virtually and will have a calendar of events to you in the not-too-distant future.

Riverlink

You’re Invited To Come Along and Discuss RiverLink – What’s Important To You.

When: Tuesday, 30 November – 6:00pm to 7:00pm at the Pasifika Hub

Where: 2 Dudley Street, Lower Hutt

If you can’t make this one, we’ll be holding more events in early 2022, so please keep checking on www.riverlink.co.nz under ‘News’.

Please RSVP to admin@sebg.org.nz

This will also be your opportunity to talk to the team and to raise any concerns you might have about disruption to your business or within the CBD generally.

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.