Collaboration is king, it really is. There is even a best-selling marketing book to tell you more.
I have the privilege every day to visit businesses where I hear stories of collaboration. Business leaders and their teams talk of being able to walk down the road to get something sorted, manufactured, or even discuss an idea. They talk about sharing work, working together, and the understanding of doing this ethically.
I am sure this is true in many regions of Aotearoa. But I think, like most things, the Hutt Valley business community does this better. I hear business leaders say I want to spend my money locally, and they often have good money to spend.
So, if you have something you need done think about BUYING LOCAL if you’re not already doing so. There will be a supplier in our community that can help. If you need help finding them let me know. I can ask around for you. That’s what we do here at the Chamber.
Supporting local is a wonderful thing. On that note, I want to acknowledge the wonderful sponsors that are supporting the 2Degrees Wellington Business Excellence Awards 2022. They are 2Degrees, PFK Kendons, BNZ, CentrePort Wellington, Pertronic Industries, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Wellington Water, NZME, On Video Media, Streamliner, and the Lower Hutt Events Centre. They are all coming together to support the regional business community.
If you would like to support this event in some way there is still space to help AND time to get your entries in for the awards.
In this edition of our Hutt Valley Business Weekly:
- Chamber Updates
- FINAL CALL - Trade & Export Breakfast plus Q&A - Tomorrow August 4th - Final Tickets
- Get Your Nominations In For The 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards
- The Future of Employer Engagement with Schools & Education in New Zealand: Introducing Work Integrated Learning
- Local & Regional News
- MEAN Productions wins BIG
- Corporate Social Good Book Opportunity with MIX Lower Hutt Mental Health
Hutt City Making Progress on Climate Action
Missing Link On Way For Travel To And From the Hutt Valley
- Fundraiser Breakfast: I Have A Dream, Upper Hutt
- National Business News
- Economist Cameron Bagrie Says Businesses Need To Sort Out Their Bankability - Featured on the AM Show (Video + Event Invitation)
- Riverlink Updates
- RiverLink Info Session with the Project Director - Event Invitation
- Travel Survey Underway – Tell the RiverLink Team How You Travel To Work
- Upcoming Events
- Women In Business Event: Understanding Your Investment Options Featuring Sharesies CEO - Brooke Roberts & Industry Experts
- Tips For Navigating Business Banking
- Upcoming Training
- A Practical Guide To Employment Agreements With Tony McKone, Employment Relations Specialist
- Driving Traffic To Your Website Through Keywords and Better Google Rankings with Synthesis Marketing in Upper Hutt
- Spring Reset: Step Into Spring Stress-Free with Spring Coaching
- Member Offers
- Offers from Excio, Clarative Media and Aspire2 Business: Workplace Communication
CHAMBER UPDATES
FINAL CALL - Trade & Export Breakfast plus Q&A - Tomorrow August 4th - Final Tickets
We are bringing together business leaders that are involved with Trade & Export across the Hutt Valley and Wellington Region tomorrow August 4th.
Hear from industry experts: Export NZ, NZTE, CentrePort and 360Logistics on current trade agreements, current international trends and the government's focus and direction for growth. Joined by Minister for Trade & Export Growth, Hon Damien O'Connor.
The Minister will be joined by the following speakers in a panel discussion & Q&A. Breakfast included.
- Derek Nind, Managing Director, Managing Director, 360Logistics
- Kristy Grant, Advisory Board Member, EXPORT NZ
- Anthony Delaney, CEO, CentrePort
- Ann Clifford, Customer Director - Central North Island, NZTE
Event supported by our Gold Partners, 360 Logistics.
Final tickets remaining. Book now so you don't miss out.
When: Thursday 04 August
Time: 7:30am - 9:30am
Where: Lower Hutt Events Centre, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Breakfast Provided
Price: From $55 + GST
Get Your Nominations In For The 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards
The 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards for 2022 will be a celebration of the businesses across the Greater Wellington region and with nine categories to choose from there is a place for all organisations to participate.
The awards are an opportunity to share stories of innovation, adaptability, resilience and growth. A moment to acknowledge achievements and continue to inspire each other to continue to be one of the most diverse and innovative business communities in the country.
The awards are open to any business or organisation within the Greater Wellington region, including Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti, Wairarapa and the Hutt Valley. There is no cost to enter. You can nominate your own business or someone else’s.
Entry is simple. Complete the online nomination form for the category of your choice by September 16th here: https://wellingtonbusinessexcellence.awardsplatform.com/
The awards are a time for businesses to celebrate their efforts, their teams, their drive and determination, and equally their contribution to jobs, the economy and our communities.
For more information visit the official awards page on our website or contact annette@hvchamber.org.nz.
KEY DATES:
16th of September - Nominations close
10th of October - Earlybird pricing ends for Gala Dinner
27th of October - Finalists announced at our Finalists Function.
Click here to book your ticket to the Finalists Function.
18th of November - Winners announced at The 2degrees Business Excellence Awards 2022 Gala Dinner.
Click here to book your ticket to the Gala Dinner.
The Future of Employer Engagement with Schools & Education in New Zealand: Introducing Work Integrated Learning
At the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, we think the future of Employer Engagement with schools and education in New Zealand is here. Check out our video produced by our member Clarative Media.
Welcome to 'Work Integrated Learning' in the Hutt Valley. This concept was developed by Patton Engineering Ltd., Johno Williams, Salla Delport and Hastings Boys High School with the goal to bridge the gap between schools and employers, education and employment.
Our objectives at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce through the Work Integrated Learning programme are to work with schools and employers to:
(1) Support the rangatahi (young people) in the Hutt Valley to discover, explore, connect and experience their futures and
(2) Create a talent pipeline for employers who continue to suffer a skills shortage like many employers in New Zealand.
Thanks to Real Steel Ltd, ATCO Steel Developments NZ, Hutt Valley High School, Denise Johnson, Katie Long, John Norris, Jeremy Mikoz, Dave Olsen, Matt Sharp, Jess D Lucht and the Ministry of Education.
LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS
MEAN Productions wins BIG
Hutt Valley Chamber member and Hutt Valley-based business MEAN Productions Ltd recently won the Small Business Category at the Family Business Excellence Awards.
The awards acknowledge and showcases excellence in family businesses. The Family Business Excellence Award process takes into account that family businesses differ from each other just as non-family businesses do, and behave differently according to how long they have been established, how large they are, and whether they are being managed by the first or a later generation of the family.
In particular, judges are made up of experienced and knowledgeable ambassadors of FBANZ, and are specifically selected for their region and business size knowledge and expertise. FBANZ commented:
[MEAN Productions] provided a well-balanced answer that encompasses [their] businesses structural; social and human capital 'assets'. These strengths all add 'value' to the business.
You've successfully executed a strategy of transparently communicating with your clients. This has built further trust, credibility and no doubt loyalty. I respect this approach and it's great evidence of managing risk and ties nicely back into your value of supporting your community.
CONGRATULATIONS to MEAN Productions.
Angharad and Megan, Creative Director and Art Director at MEAN Productions, receiving the Award recently at the ceremony in Auckland this month.
Corporate Social Good Book Opportunity with MIX Lower Hutt Mental Health
MIX, a unique Hutt Valley day service for mental health, has an exciting project creating a coffee-table book that shares the lived experiences of 20-30 of their participants with our greater communities. The book will have stories alongside participants’ drawings. The purpose of this is to grow the understanding of the mental health spectrum we all experience so we can connect the common threads that exist amongst our differences.
This is an opportunity for a Hutt Valley business looking for a social good cause to sponsor, to increase their social responsibility and play a part in bettering our community in the much-needed space of mental health. This business will feature greatly in the promotion and publication of the book.
For more information email lara.drawitout@gmail.com. This is a combined project with MIX (www.mix.org.nz) and Draw It Out (www.drawitout.co.nz).
Hutt City Making Progress on Climate Action
Looking across the world, the devasting fires and floods associated with a warming climate drive home why we all need to take action to reduce our emissions. For Lower Hutt, key climate impacts such as increased rainfall intensity could lead to more slips. The resulting costs and hardships associated with such events are illustrated by the recent slip long the Eastern Hutt Road, with some families in Stokes Valley not being able to return to their homes.
There is a lot of work to do and we can all play our part.
It is good to hear then that Hutt City Council are taking their part in climate action seriously.
Some of the work they have been doing includes:
- Vehicles - Council’s vehicle fleet now has an electric vehicle (EV) share of 42% (67 vehicles in total, and 28 EVs). This is a significant increase compared to the 33% only a few months ago. Over the next 12 months, they are transitioning a further eight conventional vehicles to EVs, which would lift their fleet’s EV share to 53%, two years ahead of their original target in 2025. At the same time, the size of their fleet is down about 20% compared to three years ago, because of work to improve the utilisation of their fleet, and remove unnecessary vehicles.
- Heating – Eastbourne Pool was recently fitted with a heat pump to replace a natural gas boiler, reducing emissions at that pool by about 80%. Equally, McKenzie Pool in Petone is scheduled to be fitted with a heat pump to replace a gas boiler in early 2023. That work is supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) by way of a grant of $100,000 to accelerate the heating plant change, as it was originally scheduled for 2030. This grant was provided under the Local Government Pool Heating funding to demonstrate the feasibility of using heat pumps for heating aquatic facilities to other territorial authorities. Hutt City has a programme of work to completely phase out the use of natural gas at all of its facilities by 2030, with the Dowse Museum also up for this change in 2023.
Whilst there is a long way to go, and a lot of work to do by us all, it is great to see the Hutt City Council making such good progress on their climate action plans.
Check out Lower Hutt’s Climate Action Pathway, to see what is happening and what others are doing, and for some ideas on what you can do.
Missing Link On Way For Travel To And From the Hutt Valley
The Missing link between the Hutt Valley and Wellington is one step closer this week with the signing of the Project Alliance Agreement to build the Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One Wellington to Hutt Valley cycling path.
Ngā Ūranga ki Pito-One is the missing link in a future Wellington to Hutt Valley cycling spine and will provide a far safer option than what is currently available. As a safe and separated route, it will encourage more people to use active transport both recreationally and for their commute, which is great for peoples’ health and wellbeing and of course better for the environment. It will also increase protection and resilience for the rail line and State Highway 2 from the effects of rising sea levels and climate change, strengthening the region’s strategic transport links.
Construction is expect to start in late 2022 and is expected to take approximately three and a half years to complete. Timeframes can change based on factors such as weather – and there are seasonal requirements on construction. At this stage, the project is likely to be completed in 2026.
The signing of the Project Alliance Agreement was also a major milestone for Tupua Horo Nuku, the Eastern Bays shared path project. The project, led by Hutt City Council, will also be delivered by Te Ara Tupua Alliance under a partnership between the Council and Waka Kotahi. Both projects are being developed as partnerships with iwi mana whenua – Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika and Ngāti Toa Rangatira. The projects' names Te Ara Tupua and Tupua Horo Nuku and their designs reflect and honour the story of the two Tupua, Ngake and Whātaitai, who created Te Whanganui-a-Tara, based on traditional narrative belonging to the iwi.
You can read more here.
Fundraiser Breakfast: I Have A Dream, Upper Hutt
4 A Better City invite you for a fundraiser breakfast to hear more about I Have A Dream, Upper Hutt. The event will be opened by Upper Hutt Mayor, Wayne Guppy, and include inspiring presentations by the CEO of IHAD, a Navigator from the Whangarei Project and a young Dreamer who has been through the project.
They have also secured a generous donor who is putting in one dollar for every dollar raised over the next two months.
To attend, RSVP to admin@4abettercity.nz by Monday 8 August.
Click here to find out more about I Have A Dream.
When: Wednesday 10 August
Time: 7:00am
Where: Lane Park Cafe, 22 Lane Street, Wallaceville
RSVP: admin@4abettercity.nz by Monday 08 August
NATIONAL NEWS
Economist Cameron Bagrie On The Relationship Between Businesses and Banks - Featured on the AM Show
Independent economist Cameron Bagrie said many banks had moved further away from business lending as home lending has gone up in market share.
"Banks need to wake up to a little bit to a bit of economic reality that the business sector creates the jobs and the jobs are needed for people to pay their mortgages on the other side. So there is a shift in attitudes that I think needs to take place across the banking sector in regard to allocating capital towards SMEs, in particular.
But it's not just banks Bagrie is calling out, he said small businesses need to improve their bankability, which for many is a "dog's breakfast".
"There's another part of the story that isn't talked about enough and it's the bankability of businesses … one of the problems we come in time and time again is just the bankability of a lot of small to medium-sized businesses," he told AM.
To watch the interview and read the full article click here.
- Do you need help navigating business banking in the current economic climate?
- Are your transaction banking, working capital and foreign exchange solutions fit for purpose?
- Are you being priced off the correct base interest rate?
We are fortunate to have Cameron Bagrie & the team from Chaperon NZ on the 30th of August sharing advice and tips on:
- How to stay informed, Bank fit & Bank Smart.
- Understanding your credit rating and how to improve your chances of accessing credit.
- How the regulatory environment is affecting business lending and how to navigate this.
When: Thursday 30 August
Time: 7:30am - 9:30am
Where: Lower Hutt Events Centre, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Price: From $50 + GST
Event Sponsor: LINK Business Brokers
RIVERLINK UPDATES
RiverLink Info Session with the Project Director - Your Personal Event Invitation
Join us to hear more about the RiverLink project from the RiverLink Project Director. Light breakfast will be provided.
As the RiverLink project progresses we will be hosting a series of information sessions giving you the opportunity to stay informed about the project.
It will be an opportunity to learn more about the project, ask questions and understand the opportunities and challenges that the project will present for local businesses.
RverLink is a programme of three separate but interdependent projects:
- Flood protection
- Urban revitalisation (the Making Places Urban Development Plan)
- Melling transport improvements.
RiverLink will make Lower Hutt more resilient, more connected and more vibrant.
When: Thursday 01 September
Time: 8:00am
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St
Price: No Cost
Light Breakfast will be Provided
Travel Survey Underway – Tell the RiverLink Team How You Travel To Work
The RiverLink team are currently asking the community how they travel to work to help them plan for changes to the transport network.
They want to hear about travel patterns and needs so they can focus on the solutions that are important to the community.
Click here to take part in the survey today!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Women In Business Lunch With Brooke Roberts, Sharesies Co-Founder
Many women in business are incredibly financially savvy but often don’t have time to ensure that their future is secure with the right investment.
Hear from Brooke Roberts, Co-Founder of Sharesies about how and why Sharesies was created and how simple and fun investing using investment platforms such as Sharesies can be.
Hear how women typically manage risk and invest plus advice for you to take control of your finances to grow your personal wealth and ask questions as part of our Q & A.
Guest Speakers:
- Karen Smart, Business Owner, NZ Home Loans Harbour City
- Joanna Newlove, Investment Adviser, Forsyth Barr Lower Hutt
- Pippa Hogg, Wealth Adviser, BNZ Private Bank
Take time out to ensure that you are investing in you and your family's future and book now.
When: Thursday 18 August
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: Lower Hutt Events Centre, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt Price: From $45 + GST
UPCOMING TRAINING
A Practical Guide On Employment Agreements
Tony McKone, Employment Specialist, from Silver Partner McKone Consultancy is running a workshop on Employment Agreements
Tony McKone is Director and principal consultant for McKone Consultancy.
Before moving into Human resources Tony spent time as a line Manager and has a personal understanding of the challenges that employers are faced with.
In this session, Tony will cover the basics of Employment Agreements:
- Give an overview of the employer’s obligations
- Have an understanding of different categories of employee
- Have an understanding of what to include in an agreement
- Know how to present an offer of employment
When: Wednesday 10 August
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St
Price: No Cost
Digital Marketing Workshop: Driving Traffic To Your Website Through Keywords and Better Google Rankings
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.
Topics to be covered include:
- 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.
- Making gains by linking website and offline marketing.
- Resources to boost your efforts.
Synthesis Marketing is the Digital Marketing Partner of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. Their objective is to create better businesses through smarter marketing.
When: Wednesday 17 August
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: Upper Hutt Central Library, 844 Fergusson Dr, Upper Hutt
Price: No Cost
Spring Reset: Step Into Spring Stress-Free
It’s been a wicked winter. We all deserve to hit our reset button and step into Spring feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and restored.
Change is hard but is 100% doable when you know the tips for success. Take it one small step at a time with our member - Spring Coaching's Spring Reset Wellness Series. Three bite-size classes that will introduce you to small steps wisdom. Come to one or all three and save!
Classes cover:
- MINDSET: Making time for the things that matter. Tuesday 23 August.
- MOVEMENT: You do have time to move. Let’s snack. Tuesday 30 August.
- NUTRITION: The joy of just one. Eating mindfully. Tuesday 6 September.
Invest in your well-being & performance while giving back.
Fundraising event to proudly support Wellington City Mission
When:
Mindset - Tuesday 23 August
Movement - Tuesday 30 August
Nutrition - Tuesday 06 September
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce
Price: From $20 per class | $50 for all 3 classes
MEMBER OFFERS
One Hour Photoshoot Offer
New members, Excio, are offering Chamber members a special deal to help promote your business. Get a one-hour photoshoot at an incredible price, that can be used for headshots, office shots, products etc. To redeem this offer, contact ana@excio.io with your preferred booking.
Member Video Package Offer
Clarative Media are offering Chamber members a special deal to help promote your business. Get in touch with them through their website or 0800 122 571 to claim this offer and let them know the Chamber referred you. Watch their showreel below to see their work.
Workplace Training Programmes - At No Cost
Find out you can access government-funded workplace based training for your workforce. Get in touch with Aspire 2 Business: Workplace Communication through workplacecommunication@aspire2.ac.nz or on 0800423 888 and let them know the Hutt Valley Chamber referred you.
EMPLOYMENT
Do You Have A Role That You'd Like To Get Filled?
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.
