Kia ora ,

Last week we held a hugely successful Finalist Function for the 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards 2022. Over 150 people from around our region packed into the brand-new and brilliant Lane Street Studios in Upper Hutt.

What an amazing evening to celebrate business success across our region. You can read who the finalists across our 9 categories are in this issue of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly.

We are so looking forward to the Gala Dinner on 18^th November at the Lower Hutt Events Centre. If you haven't booked your tickets yet it’s not too late.

On the other hand…. Businesses continue to struggle with staff.

Almost daily there are stories of businesses struggling to get the staff they need to run their business. In our latest Business Confidence Survey nearly 43% of businesses identified that labour shortages and finding the right staff was an issue affecting their business confidence. Businesses have regularly identified the immigration system and settings as contributing to this issue.

Contributing to the issue is that all employers must go through the new accreditation process before bringing in skilled migrant workers they so desperately need. What was a 1 stage process has now turned into a 3 stage process.  This has left employers with challenges and questions.

Come and get some clarity around the new requirements at our ‘Spotlight on Immigration’ event on 8^th November. Hear all you need to know from the CEO of Woburn International and Government Adviser, June Ranson and key team members. You can register here.

In this edition of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Chamber Updates
• Our 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Finalists are...
• Local & Regional News
• Partnering for Change
• Business Continuity Planning Workshop
• RiverLink
• An Update from the Project Director
• Upcoming Events & Training Workshops
• Tue 08 Nov 22: Spotlight on Immigration - Challenges of Employer Accreditation and hiring Migrant Workers
• Fri 18 Nov 22: 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards 2022 - Official Gala Dinner
• Tue 29 Nov 22: Climate Change and Your Business
• Member Offers 
• From Goody Goodness, Torpedo 7 & Noel Leeming

CHAMBER UPDATES

Our 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards Finalists are...

A massive congratulations to all our finalists of the 2022 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards!

Over the years, Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards have been awarded to New Zealand’s most successful businesses, organisations and industry leaders.

The standard is high so becoming a finalist in itself is a huge achievement and worthy of great celebrations.

Thank you to our sponsors, supporters, entrants and attendees of our Finalists Function.

With the Finalists Function now over, don't forget to buy your tickets to the 2022 2degrees Business Excellence Awards Gala Dinner before we sell out. Tickets are selling fast. There are less than 10% of tickets left with over 2 weeks to go. If you don't get in now it may be too late. You can secure your spot by registering here.

And without further ado...

LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS

Partnering for Change

Our Land and Water, and Scarlatti, are recruiting some businesses to get involved in their Partnership for Change project. They are looking for businesses that are willing to co-design environmental and sustainability outcomes.

Why would you participate:

• Free consultation(s) with environmental experts who can support you and your business
• Free mentorship for strategy and action planning towards your own environmental plan
• And many more benefits

If you would like to participate in some upcoming workshops and co-design your environmental plan, please contact Kate Gear at kate.gear@scarlatti.co.nz  

Business Continuity Planning Workshop

A Business Continuity planning workshop will be held in the Hutt Valley on Friday 18^th November for small to medium businesses.

During the workshop, you will learn about the basics of business continuity planning and start to create a plan that meets your needs. We will draw on lessons from experiences in Christchurch, COVID and international research from other disasters. 

• Identify the actions needed to prepare your business to survive disruptions
• Look at the ways your business or organisation could adapt after a disaster
• Make a start on your plan using our simple business continuity plan template
• Meet other businesses and organisations in your area and share your ideas

The details of the event are:
When: Friday 18^th of November
Time: 9am - 12pm
Location: 25 Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Spaces: Limited to 25 people

Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

To register please go to: https://www.getprepared.nz/organisations/business-continuity-planning-workshops/

RIVERLINK UPDATE

An Update from the Project Director

It was great to host Rod James, RiverLink Project Director, who gave an update to the business community on the RiverLink project on Tuesday. We were lucky to have representatives from Greater Wellington and Hutt City Council on hand as well to answer questions.

The main updates included:

• RiverLink Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on 13 October 2022. The RFP will close on 15 December 2022
• The RiverLink Project has met with the potential bidders for the project following the release of the RFP. This meeting was held to improve the collective understanding of this procurement opportunity as well as improve the alignment of expectations between the RiverLink Project Partners and the bidders
• A final Environment Court decision is likely to be released in November 2022
• Next steps are likely to be (subject to change as the project proceeds):
  • Evaluation of proposals - January/February/March 2023.
  • Preferred Alliance team announced - end of March 2023.
  • Commencement of early works - Mid 2023.
  • Final work between preferred Alliance provider and RiverLink - April-October 2023
  • Works expected to commence - after October 2023

We look forward to bringing more updates to you in the coming months and into 2023.

EVENTS & TRAINING

• Tue 08 Nov 22 | 5pm: Spotlight on Immigration - Challenges of Employer Accreditation and hiring Migrant Workers
• Fri 18 Nov 22 | 6:30pm: 2degrees Wellington Regional Business Excellence Awards 2022 - Official Gala Dinner
• Tue 29 Nov 22 | 8am: Climate Change and Your Business

MEMBER OFFERS

Get Your Corporate Christmas Gifts Sorted With Curated NZ Made Products

This year, choose a gift for your team members and clients that shows your business cares… a beautiful gift box filled with artisan, eco-friendly, New Zealand-made products curated by Lower Hutt business Goody Goodness. 

For every order placed by November 15th over $500.00, they will add a complimentary gift box to your order. They'll also deliver free of charge to your workplace.

By working with Goody Goodness you are not only supporting a small, eco-friendly business based in the Hutt Valley, you are also supporting local, sustainable and artisan businesses throughout New Zealand!

If you would like to learn more please feel free to visit the Goody Goodness website here or email hello@goodies.nz directly. 

You are also welcome to visit the shop at 179 High Street, Hutt Central which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

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.