Make Your Holiday Unforgettable: Thrilling Whitewater Experience with Wellington Rafting!

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate the holidays or bring your team closer together? Wellington Rafting offers the perfect mix of adventure and fun!

Christmas Parties: Forget the usual office party and try something thrilling with whitewater rafting! It’s a unique way to celebrate and make lasting memories.

Family Fun: Create unforgettable family moments this holiday season with an exciting rafting adventure. Perfect for all ages, it's bound to be a hit!

Corporate Team Building: Strengthen teamwork and communication through an exhilarating team-building experience. Paddle through the rapids and navigate the challenge—together!

Book now to make this holiday season truly special!

Overcoming Barriers for SMEs in Opening Bank Accounts – Workshops on August 12th

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has partnered with ThinkPlace to explore the challenges small and medium-sized businesses face when opening a bank account. They are hosting online workshops to gather insights and suggestions for improving the banking experience.

Workshop Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 12th, 2024
• Times: 8:30am - 10:00am or 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Discussion Topics:

1. Challenges encountered when opening a bank account.
2. Strategies or work-arounds used during the process.
3. Recommendations for making banking more accessible.

As a thank you, participants will receive a $75 Prezzy Card after the workshop. If you can’t attend a workshop, one-on-one conversations are also available.

Interested? Register now to share your experiences and contribute to positive change in the banking sector!

Exclusive Travel Information Evening with the Team at House of Travel Lower Hutt

We’ll be sharing our top travel tips, hidden gems, and insider tricks to make your next adventure unforgettable. Plus, you’ll be in the draw to win a $500 travel voucher.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register now to secure your spot.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Date: Thursday 12 September 2024
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, Level 3/15 Daly Street, Lower Hutt

Your Invitation to the CGI NZ Conference

We're excited to invite you to the upcoming CGI NZ Conference, designed for those passionate about governance and leadership. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, engage in meaningful discussions, and network with peers.

Date: Thursday, 19 September 2024
Time: 8am - 6pm
Location: Auckland Hilton Hotel

Don't miss this chance to invest in your professional development and be inspired by leaders in the field.

Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled are looking for assistance with their fundraising

"Are you a fundraising whizz?  Can you give up to 5 hours of your time every month?  Then we are looking for you."

Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled is looking for assistance with their Fundraising.  They already have a person who is dedicated to grant funding, but they need help with organising events such as film evenings, car boot sales, chocolates, raffles, etc.

Riding for the Disabled require a person who can work in a voluntary capacity, who has a strong skillset and background in fundraising, who can work to organise fundraising opportunities (with oversight of from the Centre Co-ordinator) and be the go-to person for fundraising initiatives and activity.

If this is you, please get in touch with Bronwyn on 527 8360 or at bronwyn@hvrda.org.nz

Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled are looking for a new treasurer

"Are you a financial whizz?  Can you give up to 3 hours of your time every 6 weeks?  Then we are looking for you"

Hutt Valley Riding for the Disabled are looking for a new Board member with financial experience to join their Governance Board.

They require a person who can work in a voluntary capacity, who has a strong skillset and background in financial literacy, and who can review their financials and prepare a report for the Board.

The Board meetings are every 6 weeks, so the review and reporting requirement is just prior to these meetings.  Time is not onerous, perhaps up to 3 hours every 6 weeks

If this is you, please get in touch with Bronwyn on 527 8360 or at bronwyn@hvrda.org.nz

Crossing the Tasman – Considerations for taking your business to Australia

Many businesses in New Zealand see Australia as a land of opportunity – and there are plenty of reasons why. Australia’s size and scale, plus proximity to us, make it a natural stepping stone for Kiwis who find their own doorstep is no longer big enough to carry their aspirations.

So how does a Kiwi business make the leap? When thinking about expanding into a new market, one of the best sources of information is the people who have already done it. To that end, for this paper we talked to four diverse businesses about their trans-Tasman experience. Their stories show that regardless of what your business does, the basics – a unique selling proposition, quality product, trusted relationships, and excellent customer service – are key to winning in Australia.

New Government Employment Action Plan

The Government has released a new Employment Action Plan aimed at helping more people find and stay in work, ensuring they have the skills needed to succeed. The plan focuses on improving access to jobs, upskilling workers, and aligning welfare, employment, education, and immigration systems to meet workforce needs. It includes 12 actions across various government portfolios and replaces previous employment strategies.

New Major Events Strategy: Big Opportunities for Business

The Government has unveiled a new strategy to maximise the economic and social benefits of major events in New Zealand. This plan aims to enhance our global reputation and attract significant international attention, offering businesses opportunities to benefit from increased visitor spending and media exposure.

The strategy focuses on events that drive economic growth, support high-performance sports, and celebrate New Zealand’s culture. An example is the ITM Taupo Super 400, which brought in $5.8 million and reached millions of viewers worldwide.

More details on eligibility and applications will be available from 1 September 2024.

Govt Proposes RUCs for Light Fleet by 2027 as Part of Revenue Action Plan

The Government has unveiled a revenue action plan that includes transitioning all light vehicles to road user charges (RUC) by 2027. This move aims to address New Zealand’s infrastructure funding challenges and ensure a fair contribution from all road users.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced that the plan will also reform tolling legislation, introduce new funding tools, and leverage private sector expertise to accelerate infrastructure projects. These measures are designed to enhance productivity and economic growth through improved infrastructure delivery.

Wellington Regional Economic Plan Identifies ‘Pockets of Growth’

Analysis of the first full year of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Plan shows job growth in some sectors, new spending and successful initiatives to identify and develop opportunities. This includes plans for the tech sector include a goal of creating 30,000 jobs in the region by 2035 with Wellington seen as a leader in areas such as climate technology where investment capitalists are focused.

Useful Regional Dashboard

This page contains a range of data for the Wellington-Hutt Valley-Wairarapa-Horowhenua Region, both regional level- and local-level data. The information, including housing, economic and population is in collaboration with central government and others to provide updates on this information.

Expression of Interest: Infrastructure Acceleration Fund - 3Waters Project

Hutt City Council and Kāinga Ora are seeking professional engineering and civil construction providers for stormwater and wastewater upgrades in Lower Hutt. This project aims to unlock development for around 3,500 new homes. Interested consortiums are invited to express interest in progressing the design and implementation stages under an early contractor engagement contract.

Hutt City Council - Building and Resource Consents Update

We are pleased to provide a link to the Hutt City Council Building and Resource Consents team newsletter Kaihanga.

The following information is included:

• Improvements to the Code Compliance Certificate (CCC) application and evaluation process
• “Quality Applications” programme
• Development Contributions update
• Resource Consents update
• District Plan Update - Revised timing for notifying the Proposed District Plan
• And other useful information

Hutt River Flood Test: Stopbank Passes with Flying Colours

Last week, Te Awa Kairangi/Hutt River experienced significant flooding with 79mm of rain in Lower Hutt and a peak flow rate of 770m³/sec at Taita. This marked the first major test for the newly upgraded stopbank between Melling Link Bridge and Mills Street, which has been under construction since February 2024. Despite not having grass cover yet, the stopbank performed exceptionally well, safeguarding the area against a flood that has a 50% chance of occurring in any given year.

The quick actions of the project team ensured that machinery and equipment were safely moved out of the flood zone, and the site displayed impressive resilience. This event was the largest recorded river flow since the project began and served as a successful trial for the stopbank's capabilities.

Looking ahead, once the flood protection works are complete, the Hutt Valley will be protected from a 2,800m³/sec flood event, which is roughly a 1 in 440-year event, factoring in future climate change projections.

Next Steps in the Te Awa Kairangi Bioengineering Trial

As part of the Te Awa Kairangi - Delivering RiverLink project, the team is transitioning 7.7 hectares of exotic willows to native species. 

Three years ago, they launched the Belmont Bioengineering Trial, constructing riverbank defences with woody debris, planting willow poles, and setting up debris fences along Te Awa Kairangi. These efforts stabilised the river edge, slowed water speed, and trapped silt, creating a favorable environment for native plants.

Now, they are moving to the next stage of the Bioengineering Trial, focusing on planting native species. This phase aims to determine the most effective native plant species, planting methods, and timing. The team is eager to see the native trees thrive alongside the established willows, enhancing the diversity and resilience of the riparian environment.

Community Meeting Update

Following from the briefing on upcoming work to renew the odour control system at the plant on Tuesday 30 July the presentation is available on thew website

We appreciated the interest and questions with useful discussion that followed. The presentation is available on our website and notes from the briefing will be published shortly.

Upcoming Work

Over the next 2-3 months, Wellington Water will be working on upgrades at the Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant to improve performance and manage odours. The work includes:

• Renewing mechanical parts in the primary sedimentation tanks (underway)
• Upgrading the biofilter air distribution system (coming soon)
• Refurbishing the dryer (timing to be confirmed)

While this may cause occasional odours outside the plant, Wellington Water is scheduling the work during cooler months and using odour neutralisers to minimize impact. They appreciate your patience as these improvements are made.

Junior - OpenStar's Fusion Magnet

Hutt Valley Chamber member Openstar Technologies will present at the Applied Superconductivity Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from September 1-6.

OpenStar is developing a Levitated Dipole Reactor (LDR), integrating novel power supplies with High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) in a levitating electromagnet named "Junior." Unlike traditional fusion machines, Junior's design, inspired by Earth's magnetosphere, uses a donut-shaped magnet to confine plasma in a dipole shape.

Founded in 2021, OpenStar builds on the work of institutions like MIT, Columbia University, and Tokyo University. Their research in Low and High-Temperature Superconductors has advanced plasma confinement, with HTS offering greater efficiency and performance.

As global investment in fusion grows, OpenStar is proving the potential of alternative machines. Junior represents a significant step towards commercialising the fusion process, with recent milestones including successful magnet testing.

Industry Voice is Crucial in Redesign of VET System

You only have two more weeks to have your say on the proposed redesign of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. The system must be fit for purpose for you and your business, and the only way to ensure that can happen is for you to make a formal submission by Thursday, 12 September.

The Government wants to understand what you need from the system to make it be􀆩er for you and those you are training. They want to know what is not working and any ideas you have to make it more responsive to industry and your workforce. You don’t have to be an expert or a big business, it’s important that the Government hears from as many people as possible.

Looking to cut your energy costs? | Reliance Utilities

As NZ's fastest-growing energy broker, we secure the best deals for businesses, saving you up to 20% on your power bill. Simple, efficient, and reliable.

Reach out to Jigar from Reliance Utilities and start saving today.

Your best energy deal, on us.

2degrees Business Mobile| Chamber Member Deal

Join 2degrees on an eligible business mobile plan and get 2 months free. As a Chamber member you’ll also get 15% off for the life of your plan. 

Bunnings Trade | PowerPass Member Deal

Unlock a range of discounts and simplify the procurement of a huge range of products across our nationwide store network.
Bunnings Trade has partnered with NZ Chambers of Commerce to offer members access to the PowerPass membership program providing a range of exclusive benefits.

For any questions or queries, please feel free to email us at orgs@bunnings.co.nz.

Inferno Outdoor Fireplaces | Chamber Deals

Inferno Fires specialises in making their client's dreams & memories come true in their backyard. Inferno Outdoor Fires has a special offer for Chamber members of 5% off the marked price.

To find out more, click the button below!

Air New Zealand | Chamber Deals

For businesses looking to leverage the vast array of offerings from Air New Zealand, there's good news. Air New Zealand has crafted a specialised Business Services page that outlines the multitude of options and programs available for businesses.

To find out more, click the button below!

Z Energy | Chamber Deals

Z Business is delighted to advise that Chamber of Commerce members discount will increase from 10 cents per litre to 11 cents per litre off pump at service stations and truck stops from Monday 5 February.  

To find out more, click the button below!

More than you expected – Rove Rentals – Commercial Fleet

Located in Wellington Region

Hutt Valley based Rove Rentals are local and have the flexibility to think on their feet and make productive decisions.

ROVE started after seeing an increasing demand for commercial vans as well as a real shortage of quality vehicles and flexible terms. Using their 25 years’ experience in the motor vehicle service and retail industry, they knew they could provide a unique and quality service to the community.

Meeting the demand for local businesses means they provide modern vehicles and flexible arrangements that make the perfect solution and can fill the gap for businesses needing an extra van but can’t justify buying one.

Rove Rentals now have more commercial vehicles to meet your needs with specialised trucks to meet your business requirements.

HVCC OFFER – 15% off base rental rate, all vehicles

HOW TO REDEEM OFFER – when booking online, use code “HVC15” | when booking via phone or email, please mention this offer and confirm you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce

NZME | 50% discount off radio, digital, and print products for Chamber Members

Enjoy up to 50% off radio, digital, or print products in the Wellington market.

As part of this offer, NZME will provide a full business diagnostic session to tailor a campaign that meets your specific needs and delivers the results you’re looking for.

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, contact Hannah Doile at hannah.doile@nzme.co.nz today and mention you are a member.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to boost your business with NZME’s top-tier advertising solutions!

Terms and conditions may apply. This offer is only available to new NZME clients.

Brendan Foot Supersite | All-new 2024 Suzuki Swift with a petrol and mild hybrid engine.

Now Suzuki’s most fuel-efficient car – the new Swift smashed the factory fuel efficiency scores. The shape has been tweaked with a more modern interior, larger infotainment system, safety tech, and more colours to choose from. Suzuki Swifts are one of the most popular fleets cars and the 2024 model is available now from only $25,990 + ORC. It’s currently on display at Wellington airport.

50% discount on one-off deep cleaning service | CrewCare

As part of our commitment to the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member Discount Program, we are prepared to offer a 50% discount on our one-off deep cleaning service to all Chamber members. This significant discount is designed to provide value to our fellow members.

How to claim: Call on the 0800 number provided in the promo (0800-800-209)

T&C's apply. 

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