I have to say I am not a big fan of a lot of the doom and gloom that is reported in the media. To be honest I think it can create its own prophecy.
 
But things are evolving and we do need to report on this. So thanks to the many businesses that took the 4 minutes and 38 seconds (or so!) we have just completed our latest Business Confidence Survey with the support of Red Hot Business Consulting. The results are showing some significant changes in how businesses are feeling. Some of the key insights are:

• A real shift to businesses feeling things are going to get worse over the next 3 and 6 months. But over 50% think the next 3 months will be the same, and 36% say things will be the same for the next 6 months.
• Rising inflation is the top issue affecting business confidence. When you combine this with costs to run a business, rising interest rates, and general costs pressures, I feel this is a major concern.
• Talent continues to be a major challenge. In fact, there were NO businesses saying it is going to be easier to find any kind of talent
• COVID-19 continues to be ever-present but has been replaced by other factors, such as the various costs pressures
• Supply chain issues, and costs, continue to be a real challenge for businesses.

You can read the full results in this issue of the Hutt Valley Business Weekly.

In this edition of our Hutt Valley Business Weekly:

• Chamber Updates
• June 2022 Business Confidence Survey Results Are Now In
• Winner of our Stansborough Giveaway
• 1,500 Hutt Valley Rangatahi Discover, Explore and Connect To The World of Work
• Local & Regional News
• Lower Hutt Based Eight360 Supporting NASA on their journey to Mars
• Update - Earthquake Prone Building Notice for The Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital
• Local Technology Start-up On Its Way To Export Success
• Sweet As Hutt’s Hot Chocolate Challenge™ launches Events To Build Momentum
• Getting Your Business Behind Your Region’s One and Only Ambulance Service
• Pride Initiative Help 100 - By Helping Others, You Can Help Your Business
• Riverlink Updates
• So Much More Than A Bridge
• Travel Survey Underway – Tell the RiverLink Team How You Travel To Work
• National Business News

• Cadetships – Develop, Mentor and Train Your Permanent Māori Staff

• Upcoming Events
• Trade and Export Breakfast With Minister of Trade and Export Growth - Hon Damien O'Connor & Industry Experts
• Understanding Your Investment Options - Women In Business Event Featuring Sharesies CEO - Brooke Roberts & Industry Experts
• Upcoming Training
• A Practical Guide To Employment Agreements With Tony McKone, Employment Relations Specialist
• How To Turn Customer Insights Into Sales & Profit - Marketing Workshop by Synthesis Marketing
• Member Offers 
• Some Great Offers from Torpedo-7 and The Settlement

CHAMBER UPDATES

June 2022 Business Confidence Survey Results Are Now In

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HVCCI) completed this Business Confidence Survey in June 2022. The survey is completed with the support of Bronze Partner, Red Hot Business Coaching & Consultancy.

There are some major shifts in this survey on how the Hutt Valley business community is feeling about their business confidence. There are changes in both the 3-month and 6-month confidence with movement away from feeling moderately or substantially better to moderately and substantially worse. This is particularly true for the 6-month view where there has been a swing from moderately or substantially better to moderately and substantially worse.

Whilst the clouds of COVID-19 seem to be changing somewhat and even dissipating, they are being replaced by the darker clouds of cost impacts for a business. These darker clouds of rising inflation, rising interest rates, cost of goods and services to run a business, and supply chain challenges/costs are all increasing their importance and are supporting the change in business confidence.

Click here to read the executive summary and full results of our Business Confidence Survey.

Winner of our Stansborough Giveaway

Our first giveaway of the year has ended. We received many entries across all our channels and we can now confirm that the winner is Harvey Reid from Diesel Gas, who has won an Exclusive & Limited Edition Throw from Stansborough’s Women’s Refuge Project valued at RRP $360. Harvey was at home with Covid so this really cheered him up.

Big thanks to Stansborough for providing us with the prize for this giveaway and to everyone who entered the draw.

Stansborough is a Wairarapa farm, a unique breed of grey sheep, a weaving mill in Petone and an international fashion label based right here in the Hutt Valley. 

Would you like to be in the draw to win our next giveaway? It's simple. Follow us on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages to hear about our next one.  

1,500 Hutt Valley Rangatahi Discover, Explore and Connect To The World of Work

So much energy and excitement in the room! Over 70 employers & education providers and 1500 rangatahi from schools across the Hutt Valley joined us at our Career Pathways Events in Upper and Lower Hutt.

“One thing we do know for our young people, our rangatahi, in particular, is that they can’t be what they can’t see.” – Chris Hipkins, Minister of Education.

Career Pathways events like this are hugely important because they expose young New Zealanders to the huge diversity of employment opportunities that are out there. We had students from Year 10 to Year 13 and a broad range of employers from construction to beauty, waste management to tourism and every industry you could think of in between.

For employers, this was an opportunity to showcase their work and that of their industry. For education providers, an opportunity to present further learning and study options. For students, this was an opportunity to discover, explore and connect to the world of work and further study.

Our workforce is changing and evolving but there are still stereotypes about who can do what role and a lack of awareness of the career options that are out there and whom to approach.

Through an event like this, we are creating an opportunity to motivate and inspire our rangatahi in the Hutt Valley to find out what they like, and encourage them to start asking questions (at school and at home) so that through these conversations they will have the time and confidence to find a career they may have never previously heard about, considered or known whom to go to when they are ready. 

We can’t wait to host the next one. See all the photos from our Career Pathways Event on our Facebook Page.

If you’re an employer or an education provider and want to be part of our next Career Pathways Event, get in touch with amanda@hvchamber.org.nz to find out more.

LOCAL & REGIONAL NEWS

Lower Hutt Based Eight360 Supporting NASA on their journey to Mars

Yep, you heard it right, Lower Hutt-based technology company Eight360 is getting the attention of NASA for the virtual reality simulator NOVA.

NOVA is a "virtual vehicle" and allows the driver to be fully involved through virtual reality. It makes you feel like you are there.

NOVA started off with the idea of building an awesome piece of technology and if nothing else what they've shown is that you can start in a leaky garage in the Hutt with no money and not really a clue what you're doing and end up standing on the world stage with a piece of technology that no one's ever seen before.

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce recently visited Terry Miller, founder of Eight360 and Tom Cully, CEO to learn more about their work and it is truly amazing.

Great job Terry and the team at Eight360.

You can read more here.

Update - Earthquake Prone Building Notice for The Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital

Hutt City Council has notified the Hutt Valley DHB that they have determined that the Heretaunga Block at Hutt Hospital is earthquake-prone under section 133AK of the Building Act 2004.  The Regulatory team from Hutt City Council will be writing to Health NZ on this as well.

Hutt City Council is in discussion with the DHB to ensure notices are on all entrances to the building so that people using the building are aware of its status. They are also in the process of updating the MBIE register of earthquake-prone buildings. Heretaunga Block is a priority building under the legislation. This means the DHB (and from 1 July 2022, Health NZ - Hauora Aotearoa) will have 7.5 years (until 30 December 2029) to carry out building work to ensure that the building is no longer earthquake-prone or decide to demolish the building. 

Hutt City Council will be staying in regular contact with Health NZ Hauora Aotearoa to monitor progress on this. The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce will continue to provide updates on this important matter as more information becomes available.

Local Technology Start-up On Its Way To Export Success

One of the country’s largest fruit and vegetable growers, New Zealand Gourmet, hopes it has found a workaround after a nationwide shortage of commercial carbon dioxide supplies cut the production of tomatoes at its 12-hectare site near Taupo by about 20%.

The solution has come from Lower Hutt-based Hot Lime Labs who have developed a solution to produce sustainable clean carbon dioxide from waste wood for the commercial greenhouse industry. Wood is burnt at night in a gasifier, the wood gases pass through a bed of patented Hot Lime pellets which absorbs the CO2 like a sponge. This is released on demand when the greenhouse needs it. 

NZ Gourmet trialled Hot Lime Labs’ system at its Mokai site last year and is expecting its first commercial units later this year.

You can read the full article here.       

Sweet As Hutt’s Hot Chocolate Challenge™ launches Events To Build Momentum

Lower Hutt is warming up for the annual “Sweet As” Hutt Hot Chocolate Challenge™ and for the first time will host a series of events throughout the challenge when it gets underway next month. 

The challenge, which began in 2015, involves local cafes putting forth a signature hot chocolate creation and customers voting for their favourite. The challenge is the only one of its kind in Australasia.

"The challenge has become such a huge hit on the winter events calendar we felt it was the right time to develop it further and introduce fun activities and events that will run throughout the course of the challenge.  This allows for more activities around the wider Hutt City as the challenge is focused solely on hospitality operators in the CBD. This is huge for the region and really puts us on the map. Lower Hutt is certainly the place to be in July!" said founder Cyndi Christensen.

A record 20 hospitality operators including cafes, restaurants, pubs, a bakery and a sweet shop in Lower Hutt’s City Centre, have created their own signature hot chocolate drinks for people to enjoy throughout the school holidays. Customers will be the given the chance to vote for their favourite hot chocolate via QR codes available at each café with the winning hot chocolate declared at the end of the challenge which takes place between 7-24 July. 

The events which will run during the challenge, include a Biscoff Hot Chocolate and Donut Scoff! hosted by Fix Federation where a selection of people will be challenged to smash back a donut and Biscoff Smash Hot Chocolate before their fellow contestants; French Hot Chocolate Tastings at The Chocolate Story; and Death By Chocolate evening at Buzz café for unlimited hot chocolate and  topping treats; Hot Chocolate Karaoke and a Sweet As Hot Chocolate Quiz Night at Cutlers and ‘Design you own Superhero’ custom made hot chocolate designs sketches using technology never used before in New Zealand at Hudson’s. 

The Southend Business Group will host three community events called “Sweet As Hot Chocolate Lab” featuring a mystery box of ingredients to make and taste a unique hot chocolate each Sunday during the Challenge period across Lower Hutt suburbs.

Hutt City Council City Centre Lead, Cyndi Christensen says “We are really pumped about the events on offer and love the innovations and creativity of ideas from the cafés. The record number of hospitality operators taking part, including several newcomers, is testament to the impact the challenge has on their business in many ways. We can’t wait to show off the Hutt Valley to the rest of New Zealand and can only encourage people to make the most of it. Bring it on!” 

Originality and creativity are once again shown through with this year’s entries. Customers can be treated to the country’s first ever frozen hot chocolate from Jojo Sweet Treats, a traditional ‘PB&J Smores’ house made flame toasted marshmallow hot chocolate at Bellbird café, to a savoury style Miso and Umami flavoured gourmet hot chocolate at Espresso High, to a drink involving everything with Biscoff at Fix Federation and even a flamed orange, Irish cream and wicked white chocolate decorated with one of three superheroes at Hudsons. It is a way to get together with their friends, family, whanau and work colleagues during the dreary winter season. 

For the full list of the 2022 Hot Chocolate Challenge participants, events and voting information visit:
sweetaschallenge.nz | https://www.facebook.com/sweetaschallenge | https://www.instagram.com/sweetaschallenge/

Getting Your Business Behind Your Region’s One and Only Ambulance Service

Jina’s – a family-run fresh produce business led by Ajay and Sonny Jina - is committed to supporting local, including partnering with Pōneke’s one and only ambulance service, Wellington Free Ambulance. As one of our valued Support Crew Business Partners, Jina’s contributions help keep the wheels turning so paramedic crews can always respond to people in need, completely free of charge.

“Wellington Free Ambulance is there for anyone no matter what. No one knows when they are going to need to call on them for help and we wanted to do our bit to ensure anyone can be helped in any emergency situation, at any time” Ajay explains.

Now, more than ever, Wellington Free Ambulance needs your help. This year, we are celebrating 95 years of being free for the people of Wellington, including Hutt Valley, and we are calling on like-minded businesses - like Jina’s - to support our vital work by joining Wellington Free Ambulance’s Support Crew. Together, we can continue to save lives for another 95 years to come.

Read more and enquire here.

 Pride Initiative Help 100 - By Helping Others, You Can Help Your Business

The problem for Pride Lands is that giving children the support they need to thrive isn’t cheap, and if those children have any special needs, the costs escalate.

With the costs of living going up rapidly, and funding from government agencies declining, we need to find different ways to help local children be the best they can and build positive futures, and that’s where you come in.

Pride Lands are asking businesses in the Hutt Valley to join them as part of Pride Initiative and sponsor 100 local children to access the services of Pride Lands.

Every child that gets sponsored is another child and family that Pride Lands can provide support to, when and where they need it most. Local solutions to these issues are the most effective, and the benefits flow back into the local community. It’s a win-win for the Hutt Valley.

If you want to find out more about becoming a sponsor click here.

RIVERLINK UPDATES

So Much More Than A Bridge

RiverLink is so much more than a bridge across Te Awa Kairangi Hutt River. Of course, a large part of the RiverLink project is the new bridge and transport interchange at Melling. The latest artist’s impression of the transport improvements for RiverLink is shown above. This includes the new Melling Interchange and river bridge, relocated train station, park and ride facilities, pedestrian and cycle bridge, and walking and cycling paths.

In addition to all of this (which will be very good for the city) Riverlink is a crucial part of delivering safer and more connected transport options, better flood protection, and urban revitalisation, for tens of thousands of Kiwis who live, work, and travel through Lower Hutt every day.

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!

Underway - RiverLink Covering Good Ground With Investigations

The RiverLink team have started and they have been continuing their geotechnical investigations throughout the project area which will help them understand the ground conditions ahead of construction.

Most recently they have had two rigs on both sides of the Hutt River near the existing Melling Bridge. Close to the Melling Station, the crew drilled a 30-metre borehole into the ground. The sample data from this borehole will be used to inform the design of the road bridge abutment (structure at the end of the bridge) on the city side of the river.

You can read all news in the RiverLink newsletter here.

NATIONAL NEWS

Cadetships – Develop, Mentor and Train Your Permanent Māori Staff

Te Puni Kōkiri’s Cadetship programme supports employers to develop, mentor and train their permanent Māori staff at all career stages into higher-skilled roles.

How do Cadetships work?

Cadetships help Māori staff to develop new skills, improve confidence and leadership abilities and should lead to better employment opportunities.

Up to $10,000 is available per cadet (less for part-time cadets), to go towards a structured and tailored mentoring, training and development programme of at least six months.

How do employers apply?

For more information and to discuss the Cadetship programme contact the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce at patrick@hvchamber.org.nz or 021 248 1203 and we will put you in touch with the local Te Puni Kōkiri Regional Office.

Frequently asked questions about Cadetships and funding can be accessed here.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Trade & Export Breakfast With Trade & Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor

Join us to hear from the Minister for Trade & Export Growth on current Trade agreements, current international trends and the government's focus and direction for growth.

The Minister will be joined by the following speakers in a panel discussion & Q&A.

• Derek Nind, Managing Director, Managing Director, 360Logistics
• Kristy Grant, Advisory Board Member, EXPORT NZ
• Anthony Delaney, CEO, Port Of Wellington
• Anna Clifford, Customer Director - Central North Island, NZTE

Event sponsored by our Gold Partners, 360 Logistics.

When: Thursday 04 August
Time: 7:30am - 9:30am
Where: Lower Hutt Events Centre, 30c Laings Road, Lower Hutt
Price: From $55 + GST

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 HuttPrice: From $45 + GST

UPCOMING TRAINING

How To Turn Customer Insights Into Sales & Profit - Marketing Workshop

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

How To Turn Customer Insights Into Sales & Profit - Marketing Workshop

The value of knowing what your customers are thinking.

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: Wednesday 27 July
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Hutt Valley Chamber Of Commerce, Level 3, 15 Daly St
Price: No Cost

MEMBER OFFERS

Winter Friends and Family Event - Save Up To 50% Off at Torpedo-7

Torpedo-7's Winter “Friends and Family” event has started! They are also excited to introduce the opening of their brand new Petone store, where members will have a great opportunity to shop at their new store with an even greater discount. 

Valid Dates: 02 – 17 July 2022
How to redeem: 
In store - Show the attached flyer. Store staff to scan the barcode
Online - See the promo code on flyer to use at the online checkout: 5AFDD3E2

Terms and Conditions: Discounts are off RRP. If the product is already on promotion customer will receive the lower offer or promo pricing. Not all products are eligible for a discount. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.  Excludes Burton, Electronics, Freight, Gift Cards and Workshop Services. 

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?

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.