Business Whanganui - Chamber of Commerce

Business for Good
2023-11-21 17:30 - 19:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
The Business for Good movement is gathering momentum around the globe – including here in our very own region, Whanganui. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving a business that’s better for people and planet, and that maintains a healthy bottom line but there are solid principles and tried and true practices that you can tap into to help you forge your own pathway to a Business that’s for Good. Join us at this networking event to find out more.
We’re running this event in conjunction with local business people Duncan Sinclair, Principal of BCorp certified Whanganui architecture practice, Black Pine Architects, and Patrick Brookman of Taikaka Consulting, who will be leading a programme of Business for Good learning with us in 2024. We also have special guest joining us from Christchurch, Tim Jones, from Grow Good.

138th Annual General Meeting Whanganui Chamber of Commerce & Industry Incorporated
2023-11-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Bayleys Whanganui, 158 Wicksteed Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
NOTICE – 138TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WHANGANUI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY INCORPORATED
THURSDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2023, 5.30PM
BAYLEYS WHANGANUI, 158 WICKSTEED STREET, WHANGANUI
AGM BUSINESS INCLUDED

Apologies
Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting
Adoption of the Reviewed Accounts
Chair and CEO Reports
Appointment of Reviewer
Board Confirmation
General Business

Constitution

Note: There are sufficient Board Members to not require an election this year.
Financial Members of Business Whanganui WCCI are invited to attend. Please confirm your attendance.

Whanganui Young Professionals Christmas Gathering
2023-12-14 17:30 - 19:00 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
You are invited to join into the Christmas Gathering of the Whanganui Young Professionals Network. Nibbly platter bits will be provided, thanks to New Zealand Chambers of Commerce partners, OfficeMax. Cash bar applies. RSVP for catering numbers. See you there!

Christmas Drinks
2023-12-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
The Business Whanganui Board – Glenda, Duncan, Lucan, Brendon, Stuart, Sam, Bryce and CEO Helen invite you to a gathering to celebrate Christmas and to farewell 2023.
We hope you can join us!

Young Professionals Bowls, Beers & BBQ
2024-02-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Wanganui Bowling Club, 15 Nelson Street, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Make the most of the February weather and join with other Whanganui Young Professionals for this fun social event “Bowls, Beers & BBQ”.
How it works:1. Grab a couple of people to make a team of 3.2. Give your team a name.3. Register your team in the booking section below.4. The cost is $10 per person – $30 per team – (incl GST) – pay online direct to our account – details below.
Bank Account:Whanganui Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc.BNZ Account No. 02-0792-0019999-00
Add in reference “WYP” and your team’s name to make sure we can track your payment.
There will be a cash bar for drinks on the day.
Comfortable clothes and flat shoes recommended. If you have questions, let us know events@businesswhanganui.nz

Show Me the Money! Bryce Robb Unfiltered
2024-02-15 13:00 - 14:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Bryce Robb Unfiltered: Lessons in Business
Person, Businessman, Mentor, Original Thinker, Basketball Devotee – Bryce Robb was always destined to be in business; from an early age he knew how to make money and how to leverage. He puts his success in business down to his commitment to doing personal and professional development; to learning from inspiring leaders; and to the support and guidance of people that have worked alongside him on his business journey. From humble beginnings when he started his first tree business, he has since bought four more tree companies. Bryce has learnt the art of buying a business without having to borrow money from the bank or having to pay for the business using capital. Now he wants to share what he has learned over his 25 years in business with you.
In this Session: SHOW. ME. THE. MONEY! Bryce will share with you his experience and steps to success in revenue generation through effective marketing, advertising and sales, identifying customers, understanding their needs, making connections, and converting sales prospects into loyal clients.
Solopreneurs and small business owners – if you want to grow your sales and marketing presence, $39.00* + 90-minutes of your time to attend this session with Bryce is all the investment required to kick off your business transformation.
*Member rate excludes GST
Coming Next:
Thursday 2 May 2024 S3: Build the Dream Team: Right people, right place, right time. Cultivating a positive team culture, excellence in customer service, producing great work, encouraging collaboration, and collective success.
This series comes with a personal guarantee from Bryce that participants will leave each session with 2-3 things you can implement in your business to be more successful. It also comes with a warning…. may contain coarse language.
INVESTMENT:
Individual Session Price:
Member: $39.00+GST
Non-Member: $59.00+GST
Series Price (2-Sessions):
Member: $69.00+GST Non-Member: $109.00+GST
BONUS OFFER:
FOR THE LOVE OF BUSINESS AND BASKETBALL (LBB) SPECIAL OFFER – $200 ONLY.
Get 2x1hr one-on-one mentoring sessions with Bryce – valued at up to $1,000.
$100 donation to support the services of Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce.
$100 donation to buy a basketball which will be donated to a school in Whanganui.
Note: Only 10 LBBs available per session.

Business After 5 with MTF Finance Whanganui
2024-02-29 17:30 - 19:00 | MTF Finance Whanganui, 65 Plymouth Street, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
This month, we are hosted by the talented and passionate team at MTF Finance Whanganui, they’re big into customer service and helping Kiwis do even more. That’s why, when you choose them – not only are you and your customers getting access to local lending specialists to finance your purchases, but you’re also leaning into a company that has a strong reputation of trust – they’re not the top finance company on Trustpilot for nothing!
4.9 out of 5 on Trustpilot
They’re big on locals supporting locals. That’s why they’ve teamed up with multiple awesome local businesses already! Join us on the 29th of Feb to meet the team, mix with other local business people, and to find out more on how MTF can help you, and your customers too.

What is PR ... and why should I care?
2024-03-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
What is PR and why should I care?
How can PR add value to me and my organisation?
If I run a small business, should I consider working with a PR person or agency?

Have you ever wondered about Public Relations – what it means – how PR differs from marketing – and whether it applies to you? Join us for a light refreshment (aka drinks and nibbles) after business on Thursday 7th March at our Business Whanganui HQ in Guyton Street, where we’ll be discussing these and other questions about public relations and marketing with our special guest, Susanne Martin, Chief Executive of PRINZ (Public Relations Institute of New Zealand).
This is a ‘network and learn’ event we are co-hosting with Business Whanganui network member Kathy Cunningham from Empire PR.
There is no charge to attend.
You are welcome to bring a non-member friend.

Whanganui Young Professionals Boats & Pros
2024-03-09 17:30 - 21:00 | Paddle Steamber Waimarie, 1A Taupo Quay, Whanganui, New Zealand
Join us for this Whanganui Young Professionals Boats and Pros social gathering on the Paddle Steamer Waimarie, and enjoy live music from Georgia Bishop.
Nibbles provided. Cash bar.
This is a dry-hire event meaning the Waimarie will remain docked for the entire event.
Tickets $25.00 including GST ($21.74 excluding)

Let's Talk About .... AI - Lunch and Learn with UCOL
2024-03-13 12:15 - 13:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
Join us for the first of our “Let’s Talk About…..” lunch and learn events, brought to you by Business Whanganui Key Regional Partners, UCOL.
In this session, UCOL Academic Advisor and AI expert, Simon Murphy will let you know all about AI and how it is relevant to you, your business, and your profession, including:

What is AI?
How does ChatGPT work?
What are the pros and cons of using AI?
Tips and tricks on how to get the most out of AI.

A live session with ChatGPT will be displayed so that you can see how it works, and attendees are invited to bring a laptop or device with internet access if you would like to use ChatGPT in parallel to the session.
About Simon Murphy:
Simon is an Academic Advisor at UCOL, leading the response to the opportunities and challenges presented by Artificial Intelligence in an educational setting. Prior to joining UCOL, he taught physics at Massey University for the previous decade, with expertise in incorporating technology into education. Simon is a frequent user and proponent of Artificial Intelligence and has led UCOL staff workshops regarding using AI.
Having seen one of Simon’s presentations, we know you will find what he has to say, super interesting, completely relatable, and extremely relevant to use in business.
This, and all future “Let’s Talk About….” sessions are provided to attendees free of charge PLUS lunch is available for attendees that register prior.
Attend on your own or get your colleagues on board and join us.

Business After 5 at the Castlecliff International Artport
2024-03-21 17:30 - 19:00 | Castlecliff International Artport, 72 Seafront Road, Castlecliff, Whanganui
And now for something a bit different…. join us at the totally unique Castlecliff International Artport, the Airliner formerly known as Air Chathams ZK-CIF, which is opening its doors as a 2024 Artists Open Studio!
Meet up with other businesspeople, hear about the rejuvenation of Castlecliff and opportunities to participate from Jamie Waugh, have a drink and enjoy our UZU authentic Japanese sushi, plus meet artists Fiona Thomas, Glen MacMillan and Loulou Krebs.
Book now on this flight from Castlecliff’s past to its future.
Business Whanganui Members and Guests no charge.

Business for Good: Governance
2024-03-26 07:00 - 08:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Governance: About this Session
This session is where we really start crunching into the business of your business. We kick this off with a focus on GOVERNANCE.
Governance is not just about having a formal board structure, its about structures, strategy, risk management, setting direction, monitoring performance, defining your vision, mission, values, and culture; in a nutshell ensuring the business is set up for success.
Practically, you might say, governance is working ‘on’ the business, and operations are what we do on a day-to-day basis which is working ‘in’ the business.
We’ll explore what governance is, what’s appropriate for a business’ age and stage, and some considerations for establishing effective governance for your business.
Business for Good: About this Series
If you are interested in being a better business owner, and having a better business all round, then this opportunity is for you.
The Business for Good series:

For business owners and key decision makers
Time commitment – 7 workshops of 90-mins duration
7.00am-8.30am
Workshops run fortnightly on a Tuesday
Numbers limited
Pre-registration essential
All course materials provided – action plans from each session
One-to-one coaching possible to help participants apply the learning back to their business

Whanganui Young Professionals : Nibbles + Networking
2024-04-11 17:15 - 19:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Join our Whanganui Young Professionals community for nibbles and networking at FRANK on Thursday 11th April.
We’re running a cash bar with the nibbles sponsored by our hosts FRANK Bar + Eatery.
No charge to enter.
Register here to help us understand numbers for catering.
See you there!

Long Term Plan 2024-2034: Whanganui Business Voice
2024-04-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us together with WDC Councillors Glenda Brown and Josh Chandulal-Mackay and public transport advocate Anthonie Tonnon for an open discussion on items of interest and issues of concern for business in the long term plans of Whanganui District and Horizons Regional Councils.
The draft Long Term Plans 2024-2034 for Whanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council are currently open for consultation.
This represents a great opportunity for our community to have a say on the things that matter to them. While the draft LTP consultation documents have preferred options, no decisions have been made and that’s why we need to hear from you. Despite what the naysayers say, your feedback is important, and it will help in the final decision-making process.
Councils will be making some tough calls this year to enable them to keep rates affordable, while still continuing to keep Whanganui moving forward.
Whanganui Business, your input is valued and needed, and we encourage you to attend our event at our offices in Guyton Street from 12.00noon to 1.30pm on Wednesday 17 April 2024.
By doing so you will help form Business Whanganui’s submissions to both Whanganui District Council and Horizons Regional Council on things that matter to business and that will impact our ability to grow and strengthen our local business eco-system and our wider regional economy.
We’ll have WDC Councillors Glenda Brown and Josh Chandulal-Mackay with us for this discussion, as well as local transport advocate, Anthonie Tonnon.
We hope you can join us, even if its only for part of the session.
Pre-registration helps us to gauge your interest in matters like this and to make sure we have enough room for everyone, so please register below.
Find out more about the Long Term Plans 2024-2034:

Find Out More: Whanganui District Council Long Term Plan 2024-2034

Find Out More: Horizons Regional Council Long Term Plan 2024-2034

Business After 5 with Beaver Tree Service
2024-04-18 16:30 - 18:30 | Beaver Tree Service, 77 Brunswick Road, Aramoho, Whanganui, New Zealand
Join us and Business After 5 hosts, Beaver Tree Service, for an opportunity to meet Owners/Directors Bryce and Mary for a chat about the world of arboriculture and their ever expanding business of trees.
Watch their biggest chipper in action being digger fed and bring a bag or two to take home some quality tree mulch!

Build the Dream Team: Bryce Robb Unfiltered
2024-05-02 13:00 - 14:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Bryce Robb Unfiltered: Lessons in Business
In this Session: Build the Dream Team Bryce shares with us his strategy for right people, right place, right time. Cultivating a positive team culture, excellence in customer service, producing great work, encouraging collaboration, and collective success.
Solopreneurs and small business owners – if you want to grow your business you need a great team around you, $39.00* + 90-minutes of your time to attend this session with Bryce is all the investment required to kick off your business growth trajectory.
*Member rate excludes GST
This session comes with a personal guarantee from Bryce that participants will leave with 2-3 things you can implement in your business to be more successful. It also comes with a warning…. may contain coarse language.
Bryce Robb – Person, Businessman, Mentor, Original Thinker, Basketball Devotee – Bryce Robb was always destined to be in business; from an early age he knew how to make money and how to leverage. He puts his success in business down to his commitment to doing personal and professional development; to learning from inspiring leaders; and to the support and guidance of people that have worked alongside him on his business journey. From humble beginnings when he started his first tree business, he has since bought four more tree companies. Bryce has learnt the art of buying a business without having to borrow money from the bank or having to pay for the business using capital. Now he wants to share what he has learned over his 25 years in business with you.
INVESTMENT:
Member: $39.00+GST
Non-Member: $59.00+GST
BONUS OFFER:
FOR THE LOVE OF BUSINESS AND BASKETBALL (LBB) SPECIAL OFFER – $200 ONLY.
Get 2x1hr one-on-one mentoring sessions with Bryce – valued at up to $1,000.
$100 donation to support the services of Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce.
$100 donation to buy a basketball which will be donated to a school in Whanganui.
Add to calendar

The Future of Media in New Zealand - a virtual panel discussion
2024-05-09 17:30 - 19:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
What is the future of media in New Zealand? Join us for a virtual panel discussion as we explore what this might look like.
We are grateful to PRINZ (Public Relations Institute of New Zealand) for organising this event and allowing us to participate in this significant event that features media experts including: –
Dr Gavin Ellis, ONZM author, lecturer and former Editor of The New Zealand Herald
Libby Middlebrook, Head of Corporate Affairs at Auckland Airport and former television and print journalist
Mark Jennings and Tim Murphy, co-editors and co-founders of newsroom. Mark was head of news at 3 and Tim was the Editor of The New Zealand Herald
Alan McDonald, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at the EMA and former PR practitioner
Claudia Macdonald is Executive Director of Mango Communications, part of the global DDB network
Kelly Bennett, Panel Moderator and PR exec extraordinaire at One Plus One Communications
We will learn from the best what the future of media in New Zealand could look like and hear about how our media landscape here in Aotearoa is undergoing a profound transformation. With the rise of digital platforms and the global exchange of information disrupting local media outlets and threatening the fabric of journalistic practices, this panel discussion will seek to explore the depths of these challenges, but more importantly actively explore solutions for New Zealand’s Fourth Estate.
Our panellists will delve into the complexities of the current media environment, discussing key issues such as the decline of traditional news outlets and the impact of these changes on democracy, community engagement, and cultural identity.
RSVP essential and numbers are limited.

Family Business with Jim Bibby
2024-05-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
This lunch and learn session provides participants with a unique opportunity to hear from a highly experienced and knowledgeable practitioner in leadership, governance and management, professional director, Chair of the NZ German Chamber of Commerce, and expert on family business, Jim Bibby.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get impartial and knowledgeable answers to your family/private ownership business questions, benefit from Jim Bibby’s expertise and gain valuable insights into family business and structuring for success today and succession in the future.
Start shaping the future of your family/privately owned business today and create a legacy that will endure for generations to come.
We will have a limited selection of lunchtime snacks available. You are welcome to bring your lunch with you.
Numbers limited. Please RSVP prior.
Non-members welcome.

Let's Talk About .... Animation - Lunch and Learn with UCOL
2024-05-15 12:15 - 13:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
Join us for the second of our “Let’s Talk About…..” lunch and learn events, brought to you by Business Whanganui Key Regional Partners, UCOL.
Session overview: AI, visual communication and animated personality for business, education and pleasure…

A look at the history – icon and animated AI interaction
Easy AR (Augmented Reality) with Eyejack
Overview of Adobe creative cloud and the benefits it provides through AI
Building illustrated concept art with AI
Creating your animated character video for free… and all in eight minutes
Question time

About our Presenter: Phillip Andrews – Lecturer in Design UCOL
BIO: Qualifications – Masters degree in Visual Communication (Massey)
Background – After design school (Wellington Polytechnic) Phillip launched into advertising as an Art Director in Wellington, then later moving to London where he specialized in DM (Direct Marketing). This role required the development of campaign concepts for national and international corporate based clients.
Next move was back to New Zealand freelancing as a graphic designer, illustrator and part-time tutor at the Wellington Design school. Projects undertaken during this time were stamp design, cover and poster art plus illustrated character development such as KIWISPORT (Hillary commission). Moving to UCOL in 1998 to take up a full time teaching position he developed an interest in interactive design while teaching there completed a Masters degree investigating interactive spokes characters for web, his first introduction into AI. This led to a position at Toyota marketing. The purpose to help set up an interactive component within the team at Toyota NZ. The focus on lean business strategy (The Toyota Way) was to reduce costs via digital means.
In 2012 Phillip once again moved back into teaching (UCOL), however during this time he also worked on projects through the Blur Group (now Maistro) and an online course through Daisie (online design presentation), both companies being London based.
Latest projects produced being High-light, a projection mapping theatre show at the Globe theatre in 2023 and more recently a fine art installation at the new Te Awahou gallery in Foxton. His current project involves developing a light-based projection installation for a collective showing at Te Manawa in 2025.
High-light projection mapping theatre: https://high-light.co.nz
Te Awahou-Collective: https://teawahou-collective.co.nz
Cracter and AR (Augmented Reality): https://chipandchuck.co.nz/eyejackQR.html
Seasons projection mapping installation: https://metaverse.co.nz/seasons.html

The first session booked out early. Get your registration done today to ensure you don’t miss out.
This, and all future “Let’s Talk About….” sessions are provided to attendees free of charge PLUS a limited number of lunches are available for attendees that register prior.
Attend on your own or get your colleagues on board and join us.
Tickets: We offer two ticket options – with lunch bag (limited number) and attendance only (no lunch bag).
Note re Lunch Bags:
Every attempt will be made to accommodate pre-advised dietary requirements. To ensure your individual dietary needs are met, you are welcome to bypass the lunch bag offer by choosing the attendance only ticket option, and bring your own lunch.

Business for Good: Community
2024-05-28 07:00 - 08:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us for this instalment of the Business for Good series, this time focused on our Customers. As usual we will be applying a slightly different lens to this discussion. Less theoretical, more practical, with follow-up actions based on what you decide is the priority. Follow-up coaching is available for each of these workshops.
Community:
Whanganui businesses in general have a strong sense of community participation. This workshop explores ways in which a business can actively contribute to its local community – supporting local projects, creating community partnerships, and working to reduce any negative effects of its operations.

Awards Launch : Whanganui Regional Business Awards 2024
2024-06-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Whanganui War Memorial Centre, Watt Street, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4500, New Zealand
This is one event that needs no explanation – and certainly no sell. We are privileged to have the opportunity to showcase the best of Whanganui business through these 2024 Whanganui Regional Business Awards. Join us to hear about this year’s awards, the categories, entry programme, and the grand finale Awards Dinner and Ceremony being held in November. Booking essential.

Business Catch-up with Hon. Nicola Willis
2024-06-14 16:30 - 18:15 | Johnston Building, 49 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, New Zealand
Join us for this special business catch-up with Hon. Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance, Minister of Public Service, Minister of Social Investment, and Associate Minister for Climate Change, and Carl Bates, MP for Whanganui.

VENUE ACCESS PLEASE NOTE:We will be holding this special event in the first-floor commercial space of the beautiful Johnston Building, 49 Taupo Quay. Access is via STAIRS. If you require assistance to access this venue, please indicate this on your booking.

Women After 5 with Jennifer Taylor Moore
2024-06-19 17:30 - 19:00 | Lockett Gallery, 65A Guyton Street, Whanganui
This month we welcome guest speaker Jennifer Taylor Moore, Curator of Collections for the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui.
At our gathering Jennifer will share with us some of her experiences and delights from the Sarjeant Collection and Edith Collier Collection; excavating (literally) artworks and treasures from beneath the original Gallery prior to its redevelopment; and two further significant pieces of work – the wrap, pack, audit, and relocation of a collection of over 8,300 items – undertaken not once, but now twice.
Join us for a relaxed, friendly gathering of remarkable business and professional women for this evening of connection and storytelling at the enchanting space that is the Lockett Gallery.
TICKET PRICE: Includes liquid refreshments and a selection of nibbles.
BRING A GUEST: Members are welcome to bring a guest at the member price.

Business After 5: GDM Factory Tour
2024-06-27 16:30 - 18:00 | GDM Retail Systems, 25 Gilberd Street, Castlecliff,, Whanganui, 4501
Join us, Business After 5 hosts, Bartley Group and their Award winning team, for a fascinating tour of the GDM (Good Design Matters) factory and premises in Castlecliff.
A leading fixtures and furniture manufacturer for over 40 years. GDM Retail has a modern 7000m2 factory and design hub in Whanganui, and a sales office in Auckland.
They design, engineer, prototype and manufacture to customer specification, believing that Good Design Matters, and providing best practice in metal fabrication, laser cutting, robotic welding. CNC joinery construction, painting, powder coating and logistics are also all efficiently coordinated from the same site.
This is definitely a must see and practical shoes event!
Limited numbers. Booking essential.
No charge thanks to our hosts.

Business For Good : People/Workers
2024-07-23 07:00 - 08:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
The Business for Good Series provides a useful framework for thinking about your business and for understanding how you are performing beyond financially.
People/Workers: This workshop focuses on how employees are treated, on their wellbeing, and fairness. Here we will discuss the importance of providing a positive work environment, employee engagement, paying a fair salary, creating opportunities for career development and training, performance evaluation, and demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In a nutshell, the attributes of a good employer.
Introduction:
The Business for Good series takes a novel approach to developing business by emphasising principles of sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices. This innovative approach aims to create businesses that not only generate profits but also contribute positively to society and the environment.
This series is the first step in reshaping the traditional business landscape towards more sustainable, conscientious, and purpose-driven methodologies in business development and entrepreneurship.
In this Business Awards year, we recognise this as an opportune moment for interested organisations to look at their operations and consider how they align with the focus areas in the Business for Good series. A key focus of the awards this year will be commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical practices.
Through the Business for Good series and the Business Awards, our aspiration is to foster a vibrant community of businesses dedicated to effecting positive change while thriving in the marketplace. We invite organisations of all sizes and sectors to engage with us in this journey toward a more sustainable and socially responsible future.

Business After 5 with Te Kōpuka nā Te Awa Tupua - the Te Awa Tupua strategy group
2024-07-25 17:00 - 18:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us for this special Business After 5 event with hosts, Te Kōpuka nā Te Awa Tupua – the Te Awa Tupua strategy group, as we explore the significance of Te Heke Ngahuru ki Te Awa Tupua (Te Heke Ngahuru) – the Te Awa Tupua strategy, and its potential positive impact on our communities.
This gathering aims to create a space for open conversation and mutual understanding about our shared future.
Te Heke Ngahuru is a pivotal strategy that underscores the importance of a community-led model. This session will be an excellent opportunity to gain insights into the history and significance of Te Heke Ngahuru and the vision for the future as outlined by our communities.
Following the launch of Te Heke Ngahuru, Te Kōpuka has committed to engage with the communities of Te Awa Tupua to build action plans. The action plans will give life to the Strategy.
Together we can shape a better future for our community.

UCOL Lunch & Learn: Augment Your World with Michelle Excell
2024-07-31 12:15 - 13:00 | UCOL Whanganui, Taupo Quay, Whanganui
Augmented reality isn’t just face-filters. It does real heavy lifting in every sector imaginable: AEC, GLAM, Retail & Goods (FMCG), Travel & Tourism, Art, Music, Entertainment, and all levels of Education… to name but a few.
In this Lunch & Learn session with our partners UCOL, Immersive technology strategist Michelle Excell will guide you through an intro to augmented reality and how it is enabling people, companies, and communities to enhance experiences, learn about the world around them, and imagine futures.

What is AR?
Who is using it?
How do I use AR? (mobile, audio, haptics, headsets, projection, displays)
Augmenting Whanganui
Quick Q&A
Group challenge! Rapid brainstorm on AR x Tourism

Michelle’s bio:
Michelle is chief strategist and CEO of The Antipodean. She has spent over 20 years at the forefront of digital product and experience at digital and ad agencies. A majority of that time was spent in San Francisco, with stints in Australia, Aotearoa and New York. In 2016 she founded The Antipodean, a consultancy focused on immersive technologies such as XR (augmented and virtual reality), AI, and spatial computing.
Michelle has consulted on immersive technology strategy with Clorox, Hoyts, Chipotle, Swiss Telecom, Cruise (autonomous vehicles), Meta Quest, Logitech, BIC, Isuzu + many more. She has given talks and workshops at TED Women, Spikes Asia, Microsoft Mixed Reality Labs, guest-lectured at various schools including Miami Ad School, Wharton and NYU, and created a three-part metaverse series for the American Marketing Association.
She believes immersive technology has the potential to make our digital lives more human, and more integrated with the real world. Her specialty lies in translating complexity into relatable experiences and steps for everyone, and helping you figure out why and how you may employ immersive tech in your vocation or business.
Michelle relocated to Whanganui from Oakland in late 2023. She looks forward to lending her expertise to innovation initiatives in her new hometown, and Aotearoa in general.
You can connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleexcell/
Or email: michelle@theantipodean.us
Michelle is also co-founder and CPO of Voiijer (download for iPhone)

Whanganui Young Professionals July After 5 with LADS
2024-07-31 17:15 - 19:00 | LADS Brewing Company, 1 Taylor Street, Whanganui, New Zealand
Join us for this July gathering of Whanganui Young Professionals with our hosts, the lads @ LADS Brewing Company.
Entry is $5 – please bring cash with you.
Our thanks to LADS for shouting us a bar tab and catering for this event to the value of $500.
Be sure to register so we know how to reach you and can make sure we cater for you on the 31st.
See you there.

Governance: Introduction to the Duties of Directors
2024-08-13 13:00 - 17:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
This interactive session provides practical exercises to enhance your governance skills and experience. A mock Board meeting will give participants a hands-on experience and attendees will be provided with a set of Board templates that can be adapted for their own use.
The session covers:• Governance vs Management• Strategy vs Operations• Board and CEO (or GM or MD) relationship• Duties of a Director including legislative and regulatory obligations• Board Papers – getting the information you need to make good decisions• Assessing Risk• Budget Processes• Managing Conflicts of Interest• Good Board Practice – policies and procedures.
ABOUT
Thinking about becoming a director or trustee? Maybe you already are and want to brush up on your knowledge and skills? When is the right time to set up a governance board? How well are we doing in governance terms?
Facilitated by TorquePoint’s Simon Ewing-Jarvie and Hon Heather Roy (torquepoint.co.nz), these half-day courses are for anyone considering becoming a director, about to join a board or those who have recently become a director in either commercial or not-for-profit settings.
These workshops are fast-paced, serious fun where attendees also leave with a suite of digital tools for their governance journey. They are designed so as not to compete with the longer options provided by organisations such as the Institute of Directors.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN ATTENDING
Email: events@businesswhanganui.nz
Include:

Workshop you want to attend. You can request to attend all three.
Name, business name, email, mobile.

Governance: Introduction to Board Strategy
2024-08-14 09:00 - 13:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
This half-day course is for those who have recently become a director or are about to join a Board.
It builds on the Introduction to the Duties of a Director (Gov101) course, providing a detailed look at Strategy in the Board setting.
The session is interactive and will provide practical exercises to enhance your governance skills and experience. Participants will be provided with a set of board templates that can be adapted for their own use. The session covers:

Environment Scan techniques
How to develop an effective strategy and ensure it is a living document
Board ownership of strategy – ensuring buy in from the operational side of the business
Strategy Documents
Implementation following strategy development
Testing the Strategy – how do we know it is the right Strategy?
Reporting against the Strategy

ABOUT:
Thinking about becoming a director or trustee? Maybe you already are and want to brush up on your knowledge and skills? When is the right time to set up a governance board? How well are we doing in governance terms?
Facilitated by TorquePoint’s Simon Ewing-Jarvie and Hon Heather Roy (torquepoint.co.nz), these half-day courses are for anyone considering becoming a director, about to join a board or those who have recently become a director in either commercial or not-for-profit settings.
These workshops are fast-paced, serious fun where attendees also leave with a suite of digital tools for their governance journey. They are designed so as not to compete with the longer options provided by organisations such as the Institute of Directors.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN ATTENDING
Email: events@businesswhanganui.nz
Include:

Workshop you want to attend. You can request to attend all three.
Name, business name, email, mobile.
