Whanganui Business Chamber

The Practical Workforce Series - Book All
2026-06-23 15:00 - 2026-11-26 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
The Practical Workforce Series – book the entire series
Most businesses don’t have a learning problem. They have an application problem.
People attend courses. Good ideas get discussed. Then everyone goes back to business as usual.
The Practical Workforce Series is designed to close that gap.
Built for business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders, these workshops focus on improving workplace performance through practical leadership, clearer systems, stronger communication, and better follow-through.
If you want your team to take more ownership, adapt better, and turn good intentions into action, this series is for you.
Practical tools. Real-world discussion. Better ways of working.
Workshops run for 2-hours once a month from 3-5pm – in person on Tuesday at the UCOL Whanganui campus – online via zoom on Thursday
W1: Set Goals That Actually Work
Most teams aren’t short on goals — they’re short on goals that lead to action.
This workshop focuses on setting practical, useful goals people understand, buy into, and follow through on. Learn how to create clearer direction, stronger accountability, and goals that support better workplace performance instead of becoming another document no one looks at again.
W2: The ‘why’ factor
People rarely resist change for no reason. More often, they don’t understand why it matters.
This workshop explores how leaders create stronger engagement by connecting people to purpose, outcomes, and practical reasons for change. Learn how to communicate change in ways that build understanding, ownership, and action.
Tuesday 23 June in-person
Thursday 25 June online
W3: Making change stick — design your environment
Good intentions don’t change workplaces. Systems, habits, and environments do.
This workshop looks at how small practical changes in the workplace can support better behaviours, stronger follow-through, and more consistent results. Learn how to remove friction, reinforce expectations, and make change easier to maintain over time.
Tuesday 21 July in-person
Thursday 23 July online
W4: Change the system, change the results
When the same problems keep turning up, the issue is often bigger than the people involved.
This workshop helps you identify the workplace systems, behaviours, and patterns driving current results — and how to change them. Learn practical ways to improve communication, accountability, decision-making, and day-to-day performance.
Tuesday 18 August in-person
Thursday 27 August online
W5: Pinpoint the skills that matter
Not every skill gap is obvious — and not every training course solves the real problem.
This workshop helps leaders identify the capabilities that actually improve workplace performance and support change. Learn practical ways to assess what matters most, focus development efforts, and build stronger, more capable teams.
Tuesday 22 September in-person
Thursday 24 September online
W6: Turn learning into action
Training only matters if something changes afterwards.
This workshop focuses on turning learning into practical workplace application. Learn how to improve follow-through, reinforce learning on the job, and help people apply new skills and behaviours in ways that improve performance and results.
Tuesday 20 October in-person
Thursday 222 October online
Who should attend
Business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders focused on improving workplace performance, strengthening capability, and turning good ideas into action.
Session details
Time: 3.00–5.00pm
In person: UCOL Whanganui campus
Online: Live webinar – a link for each webinar will be sent to registrants
Cost
No charge to attend
Register now to secure your place.
Choose to attend in person, online, or both when registering.

Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026 Launch
2026-07-02 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us as we celebrate the launch of the Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026
Enjoy a drink, connect with fellow Whanganui businesses, and be among the first to hear about this year’s awards categories and entry timeline. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet some of the team from Yorb, our Naming Sponsor for this year’s awards, and learn more about what’s ahead for this year’s awards programme.
Whether you’re considering entering, supporting a colleague, or simply keen to celebrate business excellence in our region, we’d love to see you there.

Yorb Whanganui Business Awards 2026 Presented by Business Whanganui, with thanks to Yorb Naming Rights Partner for the 2026 awards programme

Take a look at the photos from the 2024 Awards Gala Event

Post Budget Briefing & Business Breakfast with Hon. Nicola Willis
2026-07-03 07:30 - 09:00 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Business Whanganui is pleased to host Finance Minister Nicola Willis for an exclusive post-Budget breakfast briefing.
Join us as the Minister shares insights into Budget 2026, the Government’s economic priorities, and what they mean for businesses, employers, and regional New Zealand.
Hear directly from the Minister, gain a better understanding of the economic outlook, and take part in a moderated Q&A discussing the issues that matter most to Whanganui businesses.
This is a valuable opportunity to hear first-hand how the Government’s decisions may shape the business environment in the year ahead.
Business Whanganui acknowledges the support of Carl Bates, Member of Parliament for Whanganui, in making this event possible for the Whanganui business community.

Please Note

Refreshments and breakfast snacks are included in the ticket price.
Please advise any dietary requirements when booking.
All non-member ticket purchases must be paid prior to the event.
No refunds will be provided.
Bookings will close once the venue allocation is reached. First in, first served.

Questions for the Minister
Attendees are invited to submit questions in advance when registering for the event. Advance questions will assist with planning the moderated Q&A session and may be given priority on the day.
Questions should be relevant to business, the economy, or matters arising from the Minister’s address.
While every effort will be made to cover a range of topics, submission of a question does not guarantee it will be asked. Similar questions may be combined, and additional questions may be taken from the floor during the event.

Making Change Stick - Design your Environment : Practical Workforce Series Workshop 3
2026-07-21 15:00 - 17:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
The Practical Workforce Series
Thanks to ChamberWorks — a nationwide programme connecting employers with practical tools, support, and pathways to help businesses build stronger teams and workplaces – for sponsoring these workshops and to UCOL Whanganui Campus for hosting the in-person sessions.

Workshop 3: Making Change Stick – Design your Environment
Good intentions don’t change workplaces. Systems, habits, and environments do.
This workshop looks at how small practical changes in the workplace can support better behaviours, stronger follow-through, and more consistent results. Learn how to remove friction, reinforce expectations, and make change easier to maintain over time.
Who should attend
Business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders focused on improving workplace performance, strengthening capability, and turning good ideas into action.
Session details
Time: 3.00–5.00pm
In person: UCOL Whanganui campus — 21 July
Online: Live webinar — 23 July
Cost
No charge to attend thanks to ChamberWorks
Register now to secure your place.
Choose to attend in person, online, or both when registering.

ABOUT The Practical Workforce Series
Most businesses don’t have a learning problem. They have an application problem.
People attend courses. Good ideas get discussed. Then everyone goes back to business as usual.
The Practical Workforce Series is designed to close that gap.
Built for business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders, these workshops focus on improving workplace performance through practical leadership, clearer systems, stronger communication, and better follow-through.
If you want your team to take more ownership, adapt better, and turn good intentions into action, this series is for you.
Practical tools. Real-world discussion. Better ways of working.

Retail Crime Prevention Information Evening
2026-07-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Peter Snell Room – Cooks Gardens, Maria Place, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Practical advice. Better reporting. Stronger outcomes.
Are you regularly dealing with shoplifting or retail crime?
Business Whanganui, New Zealand Police and Safer Whanganui invite retailers and businesses that frequently report retail crime to a practical information evening designed to help you achieve better outcomes when incidents occur.
Led by Senior Constable Andrew Cobb of New Zealand Police, this interactive session will provide practical guidance on reporting retail crime, explain what information Police need and why it matters, and share simple steps businesses can take to improve the quality of reporting and support successful investigations.
The evening will cover:

What information Police need when retail crime is reported.
Why quality reporting makes a difference.
When to use 105 and when to call 111.
Making the most of CCTV evidence.
Privacy considerations – what you can and cannot share.
Current retail crime trends and updates.
Questions and discussion with New Zealand Police.

This event is specifically designed for businesses that regularly experience or report retail crime, including supermarkets, large retailers, petrol stations and other high-volume reporters.
This is also an opportunity to share your experiences, hear what is working for others, and help strengthen the partnership between retailers, New Zealand Police and community organisations working together to reduce retail crime in Whanganui.
Come along, ask questions, share your experiences, and leave with practical knowledge that can help protect your business and support a safer Whanganui.
Registration is appreciated to help us plan seating and catering numbers.
Businesses are welcome to bring multiple representatives, particularly those involved in store management, security, loss prevention, or incident reporting. The more people who understand what Police need and why it matters, the better equipped your business will be to respond when incidents occur.

Change the System, Change the Results : Practical Workforce Series Workshop 4
2026-08-18 15:00 - 17:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
The Practical Workforce Series Workshop 4: Change the System – Change the Results
When the same problems keep turning up, the issue is often bigger than the people involved.
This workshop helps you identify the workplace systems, behaviours, and patterns driving current results — and how to change them. Learn practical ways to improve communication, accountability, decision-making, and day-to-day performance.
Who should attend
Business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders focused on improving workplace performance, strengthening capability, and turning good ideas into action.
Session details
Time: 3.00–5.00pm
In person: UCOL Whanganui campus — 18 August
Online: Live webinar — 27 August (note: one week after the in-person session)
Cost
No charge to attend
Register now to secure your place.
Choose to attend in person, online, or both when registering.

ABOUT The Practical Workforce Series
Most businesses don’t have a learning problem. They have an application problem.
People attend courses. Good ideas get discussed. Then everyone goes back to business as usual.
The Practical Workforce Series is designed to close that gap.
Built for business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders, these workshops focus on improving workplace performance through practical leadership, clearer systems, stronger communication, and better follow-through.
If you want your team to take more ownership, adapt better, and turn good intentions into action, this series is for you.
Practical tools. Real-world discussion. Better ways of working.

Pinpoint the Skills that Matter - Practical Workforce Series Workshop 5
2026-09-22 15:00 - 17:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
The Practical Workforce Series
Workshop 5: Pinpoint the Skills that Matter
Not every skill gap is obvious — and not every training course solves the real problem.
This workshop helps leaders identify the capabilities that actually improve workplace performance and support change. Learn practical ways to assess what matters most, focus development efforts, and build stronger, more capable teams.
Who should attend
Business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders focused on improving workplace performance, strengthening capability, and turning good ideas into action.
Session details
Time: 3.00–5.00pm
In person: UCOL Whanganui campus — 22 September
Online: Live webinar — 24 September
Cost
No charge to attend
Register now to secure your place.
Choose to attend in person, online, or both when registering.

ABOUT The Practical Workforce Series
Most businesses don’t have a learning problem. They have an application problem.
People attend courses. Good ideas get discussed. Then everyone goes back to business as usual.
The Practical Workforce Series is designed to close that gap.
Built for business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders, these workshops focus on improving workplace performance through practical leadership, clearer systems, stronger communication, and better follow-through.
If you want your team to take more ownership, adapt better, and turn good intentions into action, this series is for you.
Practical tools. Real-world discussion. Better ways of working.

Turn Learning into Action: Practical Workforce Series Workshop 6
2026-10-20 15:00 - 17:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
The Practical Workforce Series
Workshop 6: Turn Learning into Action
Training only matters if something changes afterwards.
This workshop focuses on turning learning into practical workplace application. Learn how to improve follow-through, reinforce learning on the job, and help people apply new skills and behaviours in ways that improve performance and results.
Not every skill gap is obvious — and not every training course solves the real problem.
This workshop helps leaders identify the capabilities that actually improve workplace performance and support change. Learn practical ways to assess what matters most, focus development efforts, and build stronger, more capable teams.
Who should attend
Business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders focused on improving workplace performance, strengthening capability, and turning good ideas into action.
Session details
Time: 3.00–5.00pm
In person: UCOL Whanganui campus — 20 October
Online: Live webinar — 22 October
Cost
No charge to attend
Register now to secure your place.
Choose to attend in person, online, or both when registering.

ABOUT The Practical Workforce Series
Most businesses don’t have a learning problem. They have an application problem.
People attend courses. Good ideas get discussed. Then everyone goes back to business as usual.
The Practical Workforce Series is designed to close that gap.
Built for business owners, managers, supervisors, and team leaders, these workshops focus on improving workplace performance through practical leadership, clearer systems, stronger communication, and better follow-through.
If you want your team to take more ownership, adapt better, and turn good intentions into action, this series is for you.
Practical tools. Real-world discussion. Better ways of working.
