Thanks to everyone who has taken 4 minutes 38 seconds (or thereabouts) to complete our June 2022 Business Confidence Survey. There is still another opportunity to do this in this issue of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly today.
When I read some of the comments it reminded me that we don’t always talk about what we do for and with the business community here in the Hutt Valley. I think sometimes, like many people, we quietly get on with our work and don’t shout about what we do.
So here are a few things which you might not know about.
- Today we are hosting around 140 business leaders from across the Hutt Valley at the New Zealand Campus for Innovation & Sport (NZCIS) in Upper Hutt. This amazing new campus for our regions sports teams is state of the art and will be a real asset for all the sports teams that use it. The quality and technology is just brilliant. These types of events are a great way to see what is happening in our community and network with other businesses.
- Next week we are hosting two Pathways events for over 1,500 rangatahi from secondary schools across our region – we have over 250 business people talking about the jobs they have and the skills the rangatahi will need. Businesses are more and more considering how they might work with schools to support the journey of our rangatahi from education to employment as part of their talent pipeline so these two events will be great to create these connections.
In recent weeks I have also written to the government about some of the feedback we have been given about Fair Pay Agreements and the National Education Learning Priorities, and also advised a business about which people might be good to copy into a letter they are sending.
These are just some of the things we do. We don’t always shout about them, but rest assured we are working hard for our business community every day.
As always if you have some feedback just email me at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz or phone me on 021 248 1203
In this edition of our Hutt Valley Business Weekly:
- Chamber Updates
- Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity with Youth Inspire
- 4 minutes and 38 seconds - Still Time to Have Your Say
- From Petone to the World with Zero Carbon Footprint - Giveaway
- Local & Regional News
- HCC Response to Receiving Peer-reviewed Detailed Seismic Assessment on the Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital
- Welly Loves WOW campaign
- National Business News
- Parental Leave Payments To Increase
- Get More Control of your ACC Account with MyACC for Business
- Upcoming Training
- How To Turn Customer Insights Into Sales & Profit - Marketing Workshop
- Upcoming Events
- BNZ Technology and Innovation Series - Save The Date
- Puanga ki Matariki Festival 2022
- Out of the Blue – An Invite to Dinner
- Member Offers
- Some Great Offers from Upper Hutt City Councils 'Shop & Win' Campaign, Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni-Professional and The Settlement
CHAMBER UPDATES
Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity with Youth Inspire
“Our volunteer driving mentors are the lifeblood of our driver training. They do such an important job in working with our young people and we are excited to train, support and welcome new volunteer mentor drivers to our Road Ready Rangatahi team.” says Bex Howells, Driving School Co-ordinator. “These days seventy percent of jobs require a driver’s licence. So, it makes sense that to increase employment opportunities for our rangatahi we help them pass their licencing tests which in turn increases both the confidence and the employment prospects of the young person.”
The volunteer mentor training is to be held on 06 July in Taita, Lower Hutt. This will include a Road Code refresher, mentor guidelines, tips for the first lesson, and will cover restricted driving test expectations hosted by top trainer Patrick Harlow.
Jim McCluskey has been a volunteer mentor driver with Youth Inspire since the beginning and says “I did not really understand until I became a mentor all the barriers the young people faced when looking for employment. The cost of sitting your licence can be a huge strain for the whole whānau. Passing your driving test gives a sense of achievement like no other, it might be the first external exam a young person has ever sat, once they pass, the opportunities open right up for them and helping with that is so rewarding.”
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor driver with Youth Inspire contact driving@youthinspire.co.nz to find out more and sign up for the volunteer mentor training session.
4 minutes and 38 seconds - Still Time to Have Your Say
A recent survey of businesses in Auckland suggested that 64% of businesses were anticipating a worse business environment in the next 6 months, 72% were still experiencing skills shortages. Does this seem about right for your business?
Your feedback on how you and your business are tracking is important to us at the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce. And yes, 4 minutes and 38 seconds, is the time we are asking you to complete the June 2022 Business Confidence Survey.
We do use the data we gather a lot, and your feedback supports us to do the best job we can for the business community across the Hutt Valley. Please help us by completing this quarterly survey below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VXM7Q23
Thanks to Red Hot Business Consulting for sponsoring this survey.
From Petone to the World
with Zero Carbon Footprint - *Giveaway*
Petone weaving mill Stansborough is yet another local business cracking new world markets. Operating out of a mill in Petone, Stansborough creates heritage woven products from the grey wool of their unique breed of Stansborough Grey sheep. They are creating artisan woolen treasures right here in Petone, with zero carbon footprint, supporting a better sustainable future.
The business has been around for 30 years. Their work is treasured and appreciated by top interior designers (and movie costume designers) around the world for its innovation in textile production.
Stansborough has given us one of their beautiful Exclusive Limited Edition Throw/Wrap valued at RRP $360 to giveaway. These come boxed with a certificate and verification number. For each throw sold, Stansborough donates a portion of sales to the Women’s Refuge.
This giveaway ends on June 29th at 11.59pm. If you would like to go in the draw to win one of throws we have a few ways you can enter.
To enter the giveaway through our online form click here. To enter via our Facebook or LinkedIn page click one of the options below.
LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS
HCC Response to receiving peer-reviewed Detailed Seismic Assessment on the Heretaunga block at Hutt Hospital
The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce knows that the seismic issues at the Hutt Hospital are important to our community. We are working closely with the Hutt City Council (HCC) to keep you informed.
Since receiving the draft Detailed Seismic Assessment (DSA) in May on the Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital, the Hutt City Council has been working with the engineering team at the HVDHB on the information required to be included in the final DSA.
The DHB has kept the Hutt City Council up to date on the safety measures put up in the meantime around the building including fencing to protect the public. This was in response to the risks raised in the report on the precast concrete façade panels on the exterior of the building that resulted in the rating of 15%NBS(IL3).
This week Hutt City Council has been sent the final draft of the DSA for the Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital from the DHB for review as part of their regulatory role in assessing whether buildings are earthquake-prone. They have noted the overall NBS rating has not changed in this report, but that the primary structural elements are now rated at 34%NBS(IL3) or above.
The Hutt City Council is currently reviewing the DSA to ensure it has all the information required to meet the engineering assessment guidelines that are referenced as part of the earthquake-prone building framework. This is priority work for the council.
This assessment process is expected to take until 30 June to complete. Following the Hutt City Council assessment, they will decide whether they have sufficient information to determine the Heretaunga Block to be earthquake-prone and will notify the DHB as the owner of the building of this decision.
The above statement has been published to the HCC website here. Please get in touch if you have any questions.
Welly Loves WOW campaign
The World of WearableArt Awards Show (WOW) returns to Wellington from 29 September to 16 October 2022 and you’re invited to take part in this year’s Welly Loves WOW campaign.
The Welly Loves WOW campaign is designed to support the retail, hospitality, and tourism sectors by encouraging spending across the region. They've made a few changes to the campaign this year to make it more accessible for businesses to participate;
- Spend & Win Competition (open to all businesses, and consumers of all participating businesses).
- Hospitality to focus on a special WOW offering - could be a cocktail and small plate pairing, a dessert, pre-show menu, or simply a main, the choice is yours!
- The Retail Window Dressing Competition is back! This will be judged by two guest judges with an awesome prize up for grabs.
Registrations are open to retail, hospitality, and paid tourism attractions/experiences in the Greater Wellington Region with a physical site. Participating businesses will be promoted across the WellingtonNZ channels plus you’ll receive branded physical and digital assets to use. Registrations end Monday 11 July.
To find out more and to register your business click here.
NATIONAL NEWS
Parental Leave Payments To Increase
Parental leave payments will increase by 6.33% from Friday, 1 July 2022, to match the rise in the average weekly earnings.
The maximum weekly rate for eligible employees and self-employed parents will increase from $621.76 to $661.12 gross per week.
You can read more here.
Get more control of your ACC account with MyACC for Business
ACC is making it easy for you to do business with them via their online platform, MyACC for Business.
Whether you want to access information about your employees’ work-related claims, view and pay your levy invoice, opt in to get your invoices by email or use live chat to talk to a customer service representative, MyACC for Business provides you with a fast and secure way to manage your ACC account online.
If you’re not registered yet, visit MyACC for Business and sign up using your ACC or IR number and email address.
Now’s the time to check your ACC details are correct
If you’re an employer, you’ll likely receive a levy invoice from ACC from July onwards, so checking and updating your policy details now in MyACC for Business will mean that your invoice will be right, the first time.
Log in or register for MyACC for Business to check your details are correct and ensure your communication preferences for email are up to date. You’ll be joining the hundreds of thousands of other businesses who have already made the move online to receive their ACC levy invoice via email.
For more information on ACC levy invoicing for 2022 visit the ACC website.
UPCOMING TRAINING
How To Turn Customer Insights Into Sales & Profit - A Marketing Workshop
The value of knowing what your customers are thinking
The needs of your customers are constantly evolving. Misread their needs, and they may spend their money elsewhere. Now, more than ever, it is vitally important to dig deep to understand your business, your sector, your customers and clients, and how you stack up against your competitors.
For the team at Synthesis Marketing, experience has shown them that deeper insights create better decisions and more powerful marketing.
Join Richard, Brendan and Raewyn to learn how to find out what your customers are thinking and how you make the most of these insights.
At this workshop, Synthesis Marketing will cover…
- The business value of customer insights
- Proven tools and techniques to uncover customer insights
- Sure-fire ways to translate customer insights into tangible results
- Top 5 tips for keeping customer insights front and centre in your business
When: Thursday 30 June
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St
Price: No Cost
UPCOMING EVENTS
BNZ Technology and Innovation Series
In The Hutt Valley - Save The Date
After a successful event in May, the Hutt Valley Chamber in partnership with Platinum Partners, BNZ will host another three innovative businesses to share their story, the amazing work they are doing and the technology, innovations and inventions they are coming up with and implementing in the real world.
Join us to hear from:
- Dave Waton, Director and Shairae Taepa, Customer Services Technician & Emerging Metrologist of the Year 2022. From RF Test Solutions
- Ray Tomlinson, Director of JT Group & SummitBWT
- James Fuller, Co-founder & CEO of Hnry
- Dulan Perera, Digital Experience Manager, MEVO
Each speaker will speak for 10 minutes, followed by Q&A and finally an opportunity for networking. Snacks and drinks provided.
When: Wednesday 06 July
Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Where: BNZ Partners Centre Lower Hutt, 45 Knights Road
Price: Members (No Cost) | Non-members ($25 + GST)
Puanga ki Matariki Festival 2022
We are keen to share details with you of Hutt City Councils Puanga ki Matariki 2022 Festival. Forward this to your colleagues and teams and anyone else who may be interested in attending.
All of the Hutt City Councils events this month have allowed our community to take part in celebrations for Puanga and Matariki and have led up to our Puanga ki Matariki Festival!
This is your opportunity to get involved. We’d love to see our colleagues at this event to support and celebrate not only the Māori New Year, but also the first year that Matariki and Te Ao Māori are being recognised with a public holiday.
Join us for a free afternoon of whānau fun including storytelling, activities such as traditional weaving and face painting, education, arts and a range of performances including special guests ‘Tomorrow People’.
When: Sunday 26 June
Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Where: Lower Hutt Events Centre
Price: No Cost
Out of the Blue – An Invite to Dinner
Whanaungatanga - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which provides people with a sense of belonging
Register now for an opportunity to share kai and enjoy the whanaungatanga of Māori business people in Te Awakairangi. Come and network, make connections, share experiences and ideas.
Guest Speaker: Daphne Luke, Chair of the Te Matarau a Māui Trust
When: Wednesday 29 June 2022
Time: 5pm – 730pm
Where: Faith & Co, 313 Jackson Street, Petone
Register: Email karen.waterreus@windowslive.com or call Karen on 021 934 906
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
Upper Hutt City Council Launches 'Shop & Win' Campaign - Starting 9th of May
This Saturday 9 May, Upper Hutt City Council launches a 'Shop & Win' promotion that celebrates the Upper Hutt-exclusive Carry Me: 100 Years of Handbags at Whirinaki Whare Taonga, and supports our retailers who have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Shop at any participating retailer between 14 May and 28 June to be in to win one of six shopping sprees — a $650 voucher pack plus a handbag. 32 Upper Hutt City centre retailers have combined forces for the promotion so be sure to hit the local shops when you visit Upper Hutt to see the exhibition.
View the shopping map, prize pack info, and online entry form at shopupperhutt.co.nz.
Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni‑Professional - Professional Development Offer
Chamber Members, Kāpuhipuhi Wellington Uni‑Professional help future-focused Kiwis build more rounded, relevant skill sets - that set them up for where New Zealand business is going and give them greater confidence and adaptability at work.
They are the next step in professional development – with a market-leading, constantly evolving range of modules that can be combined and tailored for any individual, in any industry, to address the full range of contemporary business needs.
Right now, WUP has an offer for Chamber members using discount code: HVCC2022. See here for their list of courses.
A Fortnight At The Settlement - On Them
Trial The Settlement in Petone or Upper Hutt, for a fortnight for free!
Breathe life back into your work. Their premium co-working spaces are beautiful, intuitive, and filled with natural light, designer furniture, dedicated desks, and break-out spaces. Fully equipped meeting rooms mean you can be proud to meet your clients, host workshops, and so much more.
Their Petone space is located on bustling Jackson Street, and is a short stroll from the beach, cafes, bars, restaurants, supermarkets, public transport and boutique stores. Their Upper Hutt space is in the heart of the Brewtown precinct, with breweries and eateries on the doorstep, as well as essential amenities and shops just a couple of blocks away.
The Factory is our dedicated events space in Upper Hutt and is the perfect space to hire for your next team-building day, workshop, conference or away day.
Settle for more. Contact The Settlement today on 021 193 7570, work@thesettlement.co.nz or pop in for a look around.
EMPLOYMENT
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.
