Kia ora ,
As we approach the end of the year, we reflect on what has happened in 2022 and start looking at what will be in 2023. I have been looking back on my first full year at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and all I can say is Wow, Wow Wow!
The Hutt Valley has the most amazing business community. You are hard-working, collaborative, resilient, innovative, creative, and very supportive. This business community makes and does the best of the best every day. One comment this year that sums up what I think makes this business community great is “we would rather walk down the street and spend our money with someone local than spend our money elsewhere”. There have been challenges though, and we should not ignore these as we think about the future.
I am proud of what the Hutt Valley Chamber has achieved in supporting the business community across our region in 2022.
Some of the highlights include:
- Connecting – Over 3,000 people attended our networking and training events throughout the year
- Informing – We sent over 170,000 Hutt Valley Business Weekly emails during 2022 to keep the Hutt Valley business community informed each week.
- Advocating – 4 senior politicians from the main political parties visited the Hutt Valley and many letters were sent to local and central government on a range of issues and challenges for businesses
- Highlighting – We hosted over 20 events which showcased the amazing manufacturing, technology, research and innovation happening in the Hutt Valley
- Discovering, exploring and experiencing – We helped over 2,000 Hutt Valley students see and be informed about their future of work
- Innovating – We launched an App to support the business community and their staff, and helped secure an MSD Jobs and Skills Hub to support RiverLink and other construction and infrastructure projects across the Hutt Valley.
I am pretty amazed we have packed so much in and very thankful for my small and amazing team who make it happen.
But... there is a lot more we can do next year. Give us your views on what you want to see by answering our short survey below.
In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:
- Chamber Updates
- 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Official Aftermovie
- National News
Digital Tech Skills Survey 2022
What Makes The Service Sector Resilient?
Fair Pay Agreements system up and running
- Planning for the Proposed New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme
- Local & Regional News
New to R&D Grant: Building your R&D capability for the future
Opportunity for Hutt Valley Based Businesses - Graffiti Removal
- Events & Training Workshops
- Sat 31 Dec 22: Brew Year's Eve
- Thu 16 Feb 22: Women In Business - Inspiring Stories From Exceptional Leaders
- Member Offers
- From Lance The Locksmith, Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni-Professional, Cupcake Sweeties and Cutlers Bar & Entertainment
CHAMBER UPDATES
Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Official Aftermovie
We're beyond proud and blown away by what our business community has been able to achieve in the past few years.
We're even more excited that we could celebrate these achievements at the 2022 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards recently and have it caught on film for you.
Thank you to Clarative Media for the Official Awards Gala Night Aftermovie. Click here to watch it now.
Want to see the official photos of the Awards night?
In case you missed it, the photos are on our website, here.
National News
Digital Tech Skills Survey 2022
The digital technology sector in Aotearoa is one of the fastest growing segments of our economy and has been a critical source of domestic economic growth. Given the pace of change internationally and the competition globally for those with technology skills, growing and upskilling the technology workforce is an urgent priority.
Together with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Education, and NZTech – Toi Mai WDC are conducting an online survey to identify the digital skills needed by organisations in New Zealand that employ digital technology workers. The survey aims to gather valuable information from industry to ensure the right skills are developed at the right time, alongside the skills pipeline from entry to career progression.
What Makes The Service Sector Resilient?
For many businesses and people within the Service sector, the past two years have been incredibly challenging. It is more important than ever for businesses to focus actively on their workforce.
This new research weaves together qualitative and quantitative information, with a particular focus on Māori views and experiences, to understand resilience and mobility in the Service sector.
The research has highlighted the importance of four intertwining dimensions of resilience in the Service sector:
- The Service sector is built on connections between people.
- There is a deep sense of purpose and values-alignment underpins people’s choices and experiences in the Service sector.
- The Service sector is a mobile workforce.
- There is a diverse mix of people and skills in the Service sector.
Fair Pay Agreements System Up and Running
The Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) system is up and running as of 1 December 2022. This means that eligible unions are now able to apply to the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for approval to negotiate an FPA for an industry or occupation.
You can find out more about the Fair Pay Agreements here.
This updated information includes:
- an FPA Guide with further guidance for participants
- MBIE’s no-cost Bargaining Support Services
- more information on the FPA process
- duties between bargaining parties on the same side, and between bargaining parties on opposing sides
- ow FPAs work with other employment agreements
- employee and employer rights and responsibilities under the FPA system
- a range of translated FPA quick guides.
- There is also a Fair Pay Agreements dashboard on the MBIE website here. This will provide information on any new proposed FPA’s also help you keep track of progress with each proposed FPA as they move through the FPA process. We will provide regular updates on this Dashboard in this newsletter.
Further information including the first set of Fair Pay Agreement regulations can be found here.
Planning for the Proposed New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme. Survey of Employers. Have your say.
ACC is leading the planning for the development of a proposed New Zealand Income Insurance Scheme. The intention is that the Scheme could play an important role in supporting workers and employers during economic shocks and changes.
Research is being conducted with workers and employers to inform the scheme development. One element is a survey of employers to better understand experiences of dealing with redundancy situations , or when staff have their ability to work impacted by a health condition or disability. These could be in employer/managers current role, or in a previous role, or organisation.
To help inform the planning ACC would appreciate you participating in the survey – (or passing this on to the most appropriate person in your organisation if that is not you). The survey takes around 5-10 minutes and is confidential.
LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS
New to R&D Grant: Building your R&D capability for the future
Building your R&D capability for the future
Callaghan Innovation has just launched their ‘New to R&D Grant’ . This has been specifically designed to help you and your business become a long-term R&D performer. It is not for one-off projects - because if you want to continue to differentiate your product or service from your competitors’ and tap into new markets, you need to keep innovating.
Opportunity for Hutt Valley Based Businesses - Graffiti Removal
Hutt City Council invites Registrations of Interest for the rapid response and removal of graffiti from the region.
We are looking for a supplier that has the capability and capacity to remove large volumes (Approximately up to 16,000m2) of graffiti annually, from within the HCC region.
Suppliers are encouraged to subscribe on GETS for full access. If you would like to see the documents and don’t have access to GETs please contact patrick@hvchamber.org.nz
EVENTS & TRAINING
Time To Celebrate After A Year of Hard Work: Brew Year's Eve 2022
Brewtown is once again hosting one of the biggest new year’s events in the country - right here in the Hutt Valley. With your fave craft brew, delicious eats and live music - it is the perfect way to welcome 2023 after a hard year’s work.
Celebrations kick-off at 5pm with live DJ's and plenty of sunlight hours to kick back, relax and chill with your crew at Brewtown’s purpose-built event space. The live performances start as the sun sets and closing in on the New Year. Things will wrap up at 1am.
Secure your tickets before they sell out like they did last year.
When: Saturday, 31 December 2022, 5:00pm
Where: Brewtown Upper Hutt, Upper Hutt
Cost: $35 General Admission
Want 3 Tickets To Brew Year's Eve On Us?
Our friends over at Brewtown have given us 3 General Admission tickets to give away to our Hutt Valley business community.
Entering the competition is simple.
- Like our Facebook post here, and tag who you'd like to spend New Year's Eve with
The competition ends Wednesday 14th December at 5pm.
Women In Business - Inspiring Stories From Exceptional Leaders
When: Thursday 16th February 2023 | 9 - 11am
Where: Silverstream Retreat
Cost: Members $35 | Non-Members $45
There are many views on what makes a great leader. What is often more fascinating, and inspiring is to hear how people became leaders and what they learnt along the way.
For some being a leader comes naturally, while for others it requires more work. This could include surrounding yourself with great mentors and support as well as understanding your own strengths & weaknesses and how you can leverage that to your advantage.
Be inspired. Join us to hear from three leaders in our community about their journeys and experiences.
Featured Speakers:
- Ana Lyubich, Founder of Excio
- Jo Jensen, Founder of Strictly Savvy
- Paula Clarke, Founder of Go Architecture
- Vikki Lust, Owner of Belle La Vie
MEMBER OFFERS
Lance The Locksmith Special Offer For Chamber Members
Lance Leroux is the owner of Lance the Locksmith and a licenced, bonded and insured locksmith with over 40 years of experience.
Lance the Locksmith is a family-owned business serving the Greater Wellington and Hutt Valley Region.
The business offers a comprehensive range of locksmith services. Their competitive pricing and outstanding service separate them from the pack.
Get in touch now to receive your 10% discount. Exclusive offer only available for current Hutt Valley Chamber Members.
Call 021 1888 048 or email lancethelocksmith@gmail.com for more information or to make a booking.
Continue Your Career and Personal Growth With A Discount For 2023 Courses
Now is the perfect time to start planning the next step on your professional development journey. Kāpuhipuhi - Wellington Un Professionals have a great selection of short courses to support you, from project management to practical data analysis and moving into management to Te Reo Māori. There is something for everyone.
Enrol now and take advantage of their 15% special discount available for 2023 enrolments. This discount only applies for bookings made before the start of next year, 1 Jan 2023.
Just click on the course that works for you and the discount will be automatically applied. View the list of available courses here.
Get Your Corporate Christmas Gifts Sorted With Christmas Cupcakes and Edible Treats
Make your Christmas gift-giving easy this year.
Send Christmas Cupcakes, Macarons, Cookies and Brownies which can all be personalised with your company logo/brand to promote your business as well as deliver festive cheer to your clients, team, friends & family. Bulk pricing is available and a 10% discount is available via the Chamber app.
If you would like to learn more please feel free to visit the Cupcake Sweeties website or email info@cupcakesweeties.co.nz; You can also call us on 04 577 2962 or visit us at Cupcake Sweeties 221, Waiwhetu Road, Fairfield, Lower Hutt.
By ordering through Cupcake Sweeties you are also supporting a small business in Lower Hutt!
Cutlers Christmas Cabaret – 10 December 7pm
A full Night of entertainment organised for you!
Only at Cutlers in Lower Hutt.
Full Mouth-watering selection of buffet dining, Outrageously entertaining London cabaret style floor show, with a live band.
Don't miss out. Book your office party or work drinks now! Large or small groups welcome.
One night only!
Book Tickets at the bar or online at Cutlers Christmas Cabaret Tickets, Sat, Dec 10, 2022 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
Want More Member Offers?
To see a list of all our member's offers visit our Members Marketplace on our website to see a variety of deals we have from our members for both members only and anyone.
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
Thank you to all our Partners
As always, special thanks to all our Members and Partners for your ongoing support.
