Hi

It is great to finally be moving into the Alert Level Orange COVID-19 Protection (Traffic Light) Framework at 11:59pm on Thursday 2nd December.

At Orange, people can continue to do everyday activities. There are restrictions to limit the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable people. But people across the Hutt Valley can go to work, school, gyms, church, restaurants, and many more places.

There is lots of information available, but what does all this mean for your business? Essentially there are different requirements that will apply depending on the activity of your business. Check out the information below for more details and links to useful help for your business.

If you have any questions regarding the Alert Level Orange or other levels please let me know and I will pose them to Ginny Andersen, MP for Hutt South, at our webinar this Friday. It will be a great opportunity to get clarity on any areas where you are unsure. Send your questions to partrick@hvchamber.org.nz by 9:00am on Thursday 2 December.

Thanks

Patrick McKibbin
CEO

The Latest COVID-19 Business Updates

HUTT VALLEY REGION MOVES TO ALERT LEVEL ORANGE

The Government announced that the Hutt Valley and the Wellington region will move to Alert Level Orange in the new Covid 19 Protection Framework, known as the traffic light system, at 11:59pm on 2 December 2021.

More information on the Covid Protection Framework click here.

Help and advice for businesses on transitioning to the Covid Protection Framework visit www.business.govt.nz or call
0800 424 946.

NZ BUSINESS PASS VERIFER

The Ministry of Health has launched the NZ Pass Verifier which helps businesses to scan and verify their customers’ called, 'My Vaccine Pass'.

If you run a business in NZ and need to scan your customers My Vaccine Pass QR codes the free NZ Pass Verifier is now ready to download here.

MY VACCINE PASS

My Vaccine Pass is an official record of a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status and will provide access to places within New Zealand that require proof of vaccination under the new COVID-19 Protection Framework.

My Vaccine Pass has a QR code that can be scanned upon arrival at a venue. The pass can be downloaded to your personal phone and stored in your Apple or Google Wallet, or may be printed out.

If you intend to travel a separate International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, which provides proof of your vaccination status in order to enter overseas countries, can also be requested if you need one.

To apply for your 'My Vaccine Pass' click here.

Accessing the Government Financial Support

NEW - TRANSITION PAYMENT AS BUSINESSES MOVE TO THE TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM

The Government has announced a one-off transition payment for businesses as we move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic light system).

This payment will be made available through the Resurgence Support Payment.

The one-off transition payment is $4000 plus $400 per full-time employee (FTE), up to 50 FTE. The maximum payment is $24,000.

The eligibility criteria is the same as the Resurgence Payment. Applications for the Transition Payment open on 10 December 2021.

For more information click here

HURRY CLOSING SOON - RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT AND WAGE SUBSIDY

The Resurgence Support Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme will continue to be available to businesses anywhere in New Zealand until 11:59pm on Thursday 2 December when all areas of New Zealand move to the COVID-19 Protection Framework.

HURRY CLOSING SOON - WAGE SUBSIDY #8

The #8 COVID-19 Wage Subsidy August 2021 is available between 26 November and and 11.59pm Thursday, 9 December. As New Zealand is moving to the traffic light system on 2 December, this is the last of the COVID-19 August 2021 payments.

For more information click here.

RESURGENCE SUPPORT PAYMENT

The final Resurgence Support Payment that opened 19 November 2021 remains open for applications. This will be the final payment. This will be replaced with the Transition Payment above.

Information on how to apply here.

The Covid Protection Framework
Your Questions Answered !

We are aware that as a business community you have lots of questions on the Covid Protection Framework “Traffic Light System”

Ginny Andersen MP, List MP Hutt South, is joining our CEO Patrick McKibbin to talk us through the framework and answer questions relating to this.

If you have any questions you would like us to put to Ginny, please send them through to annette@hvchamber.org.nz by 9:00am on the 2nd December.

The video will be available on our Facebook pages and on our website on Friday 3rd December in the afternoon. To view our Hutt Valley Chamber Facebook page click here.

Hutt Valley Business News

Chris Bishop MP Political Series Lunch Overview

Last week we hosted our final 2021 Political Series lunch at the Silverstream Retreat which was sponsored by our Platinum Partner Gibson Sheat Lawyers. We were delighted to have local MP, Chris Bishop speak at the event on behalf of the Hon Judith Collins who was unable to attend.

We also welcomed Wayne Guppy, the Mayor of Upper Hutt and Campbell Barry, the Mayor of Lower Hutt who provided a short update on some of the great developments going on across the Hutt Valley, including projects such as Lane Street Studios, New Zealand Campus of Innovation of Sport, Blue Mountains Campus and the progress of the RiverLink project.

It was a real pleasure to hear from Chris Bishop MP on a significant day for the National Party. We appreciate his insight into central government and his enthusiasm and passion for the Hutt Valley.

To read the full article click here.

Hutt Valley Manufacturer Stepping Up To Fill
Skill Shortages

The manufacturing industry is struggling with a shortage of trained talent due to Covid-19 restrictions on immigration and current work levels.

One Hutt Valley manufacturer, MJH Engineering Ltd, is taking on this challenge proposing an innovative way to help young people into engineering.

MJH Engineering Ltd is one of New Zealand’s leading structural steel fabricators, specialising in the fabrication and installation of large-scale structural steel projects including industrial warehouses, commercial buildings, multi-storey tower-blocks, and seismic strengthening projects.

To read the full article click here.

Lower Hutt Jobs Forum Tackles Skills Shortage Ahead of Major Infrastructure Programme

Last week our CEO, Patrick McKibbin and others from the business community attended the Lower Hutt Jobs Forum held by the Hutt City Council and the Wellington Institute of Technology Ltd (WelTec). The outcome of the event was to map out a pathway to fill jobs and train people ahead of a multi-billion-dollar investment programme over the next 10 years in the Hutt Valley.

Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry says that we need to grow skills and capability locally to make sure we have the workforce to meet those needs.”

The CEO of WelTec, Mark Oldershaw said, “What students learn with us must be absolutely relevant to the workforce. To do this we need to understand the skills required in our community. This forum is a way to get everyone in the room.”

The next steps now will be to leverage off the new relationships established at the forum to get more people into the industries that are experiencing skills shortages.

To read the full article click here.

Impact Of COVID-19 On Worldwide Shipping and The Ongoing Effects And Issues

Just a reminder to join us for our latest live webinar hosted by Patrick McKibbin, CEO, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce who will be speaking with our Gold Partners, Blair Morgan, Wellington Branch Manager and Priya Shama, Wellington Sales Manager from 360 Logistics Group. They will provide an overview of the impact of COVID-19 on the shipping industry.

Priya and Blair will outline the major issues faced over the last 12-18 months, then a focus on the current market conditions and how they affect business.

360 Logistics Group is an independent and privately owned organisation that specialises in international trade facilitation and the increasingly complex supply chain and logistics industry.

What sets 360 Logistics Group apart from their competition is the unique and innovative approach to managing the value chain of international logistics and the movement of goods. They believe that the value component of a robust supply chain lies in the ability to form and develop partnerships with like-minded businesses both locally and globally.

In addition they take a holistic approach working alongside their customers when developing customised solutions, taking into consideration differing modes, the suppliers ability to meet deadlines, seasonal logistics peaks, border and commerce compliance. Even the value of goods to be moved or the ability to reuse import equipment for export shipments to design a true end to end logistics business model. In a nutshell they do not accept that it always has to be done the same way.

This webinar will be held this Thursday 2 December at 10:00am, live on our Hutt Valley Chamber Facebook page.

Employment News

New Requirement For Paid Notice Period When Employment Is Terminated Because Of Vaccination Status

The Government has passed legislation to provide a minimum four-week paid notice period when people have their employment agreements terminated because they are not vaccinated, and their work requires vaccination.

Five Employment Tips For Public Holidays Over Christmas and New Year

These are five things to note for employers and employees to prepare for the upcoming holiday season:

1. A business may close down over the holiday period.
2. Employees don’t have to work on a public holiday in most circumstances unless they agree to it.
3. Employees must be paid time and a half for working on a public holiday.
4. An employee’s public holiday may be moved to the following Monday or Tuesday.
5. Cancelling approved annual holidays is a matter of negotiation.

Members Events

Te Omanga Golf Tournament

Get your business registered today to support the Te Omanga Hospice, Golf Tournament. For more information or to register email Debbie at events@teomanga.org.nz.

Vacancies From Members

Front Of House Positions

Chamber Member Petone Working Men’s Club is on the look out for Front of House Superstars!

This is an exciting and varied role that will have you working across the Food and Beveridge Departments – Restaurant, Function Rooms and Bar as well as Reception, Gaming Lounges and TAB.

Part Time Weekends and Evenings available, a perfect opportunity to earn while you learn, with a roster that suits University Students and the likes.

As team player, you’ll thrive in a busy environment, the meaning of hard work is understood, with equal portions of fun served and a side of laughter dished up along the way!

This is a great opportunity to work and train with a wonderful, fun team across several areas of the Club, with an added bonus of discounted meals and free parking whilst on duty, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

For more information about this role please email generalmanager@petoneclub.co.nz.