Whanganui Business Chamber

Business After 5 at J Thain Foundry - Whanganui's Premier Co-working Space
2025-11-27 17:30 - 19:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | J Thain Foundry, 31 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, New Zealand
Join us and hosts Mark and Maddy for Business After 5 at the inspiring co-working space in the historic J Thain Foundry building. Nestled between the river and Taupo Quay, this unique venue blends heritage character with a fresh, creative energy. Come along, connect with others, and experience for yourself what makes this space so special.
About the J Thain Foundry
Set in a beautifully restored heritage building, J Thain Foundry blends industrial character with modern functionality. With high ceilings, exposed brickwork, and light-filled communal spaces, it’s a workplace designed to inspire.
Whether you’re a freelancer, start-up, or established business, the Foundry offers flexible short- and long-term workspace solutions to help you separate your home life from your professional pursuits. Just bring your device and choose a space that suits—no complex leases, no hidden fees.
Find out more on their website: www.jthainfoundry.co.nz
BA5 no charge thanks to our hosts.

Problems to Progress: Continuous Improvement in Action
2025-12-04 09:00 - 13:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Continuous Improvement for Productivity — with CILab
⚙️ Continuous Improvement Training
A practical session focusing on process mapping, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving.
This training is conducted using a live simulation, so the continuous improvement tools introduced in the session are applied in real time — giving participants practical experience in using the tools and understanding their impact.
This session complements the earlier Unleashing the Improvement Mindset 2-hour workshops, though you don’t need to have attended those to participate (doing so is helpful).
🎯 What You’ll Learn
A comprehensive overview of the essential mindset, steps, and tools of a continuous improvement initiative, with a particular focus on:
💡 Customer ThinkingUnderstanding how to view processes and outcomes from the customer’s perspective.
🧭 Framing and Articulating ProblemsLearning how to identify, describe, and communicate problems effectively — especially when raising issues with leaders.
⚙️ Core Improvement ToolsUsing process mapping and root-cause analysis to identify performance gaps and opportunities for improvement.
👥 Team and Leadership RolesClarifying how individuals can participate in and contribute to improvement initiatives led by others.
🧠 Outcomes
Participants will leave with:✨ A strong understanding of their role in continuous improvement.🔍 The ability to map and analyse how a process performs and where it can be improved.🧩 The capability to take part confidently in improvement initiatives across the organisation.
🔧 At a Glance
⏱ Duration: 4 hours📍 Format: Simulation-based, practical, and hands-on👥 Audience: All team members and leaders🎯 Outcome: Practical capability in process analysis and improvement💰 Cost: This is a funded learning opportunity – No charge to attend🗓 Booking: Essential — spaces are limited (max 20 participants)

Business Whanganui Christmas Lunch
2025-12-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Manawatu-Wanganui
Solopreneur? Part of a small team? Or just keen to break free of the office or workshop and mix it up with other business owners and professionals?
Join us at FRANK on Tuesday 16 December for a relaxed Christmas lunch with good company.
Buy your own — order on the day or check out their menu HERE and order ahead — either way, let us know you’re coming and we’ll save you a seat.

Brains! and Business for Breakfast
2026-02-10 07:00 - 08:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Business for Breakfast is a monthly event featuring a guest speaker from business, speaking on a topic of interest to the business community. Each session is paired with good food and coffee, and time to connect with other local business owners and leaders before the workday begins.
Food and drinks can be ordered in advance at the time of registration, or on the day. Buy your own breakfast. No charge to attend.
In February, we welcome Melita Farley, Learning Director at Double Farley Creative Partners, as our Business for Breakfast guest speaker. Melita has more than 25 years’ experience developing people and building capability in workplaces, and has trained hundreds of workplace trainers across New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific.
This month’s topic: Brains for Breakfast! Supporting your brain — and your team — through change.
Drawing on her extensive experience leading learning and change projects, Melita explores the intersection of human behaviour and biology, and what this means for leading change at work.
Bring your questions — whether you’re working through a specific challenge or simply curious about how your brain responds to change. This session will unpack how insights from neuroscience can be applied to everyday workplace and leadership challenges.
Choose your breakfast from FRANK.’s delicious menu — pre-order (recommended) or order on the day.📋 Pre-orders: Let us know your food and drink choices in the booking form – drink and food☕ Please note: Food and drinks are at your own cost.
Take a look at the FRANK. breakfast menu here: https://www.mintasfrank.co.nz/frankmenu
Reserve your spot below and order online or on the day.
AND Bring your business cards and make the most of the opportunity to connect with others and share what your business has to offer.

Book Club for Business
2026-02-19 10:00 - 11:00 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
About Book Club:
Book Club for business is a relaxed, facilitated space for business owners and leaders who value connection, ideas, and thoughtful conversation.
Shaped by member feedback, the Book Club continues in 2026 with a clarified purpose and a light structure that supports inclusive, purposeful discussion while keeping the focus on books, ideas, and meaningful conversation.
Sessions are theme-led rather than book-led. We’ll explore one theme at a time, drawn from topic areas such as Leadership, Strategy, Customers, and Workforce, using a range of ideas, readings, and perspectives to prompt discussion.
Reading is always optional. There’s no set text and no expectation to prepare. What matters is showing up, listening, and engaging in a respectful, well-facilitated conversation with peers who understand the realities of business.
If you value time to step back from the day-to-day and think alongside others, the Book Club will be a good fit.
What to expect:

Theme-led discussions, not a single set book
Light facilitation to ensure everyone has a voice
Optional reading — no homework pressure
A focus on ideas, perspective, and conversation

Book Club is a good fit if you:

Enjoy thinking about leadership and business beyond the day-to-day
Value discussion, listening, and learning from peers
Like structure without formality
Want ideas and perspective rather than problem-solving

If you’re after space to pause, reflect, and engage in good conversation with other business people, you’ll feel comfortable here.
It may not be for you if you’re looking for:

A mentoring programme
Hands-on business troubleshooting
A purely operational or technical session

Contact us for more information about this type of business support
Time and date:
Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 10.00am-11.00am (1-hour)
Where:
Note: the venue for the February meeting is FRANK. 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui.
Subsequent sessions will be held at Business Whanganui, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui (limited parking in the Courtyard, otherwise on-street parking please)
Register:
To join book club or sign up for book club updates, register below.

Attendance is complimentary and included as part of Business Whanganui membership.

Safer Business Forum Q1 2026
2026-02-23 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Retail and Business Owners and Managers Forum: Stay connected, informed, and ahead of emerging issues facing our business community. These short quarterly sessions focus on practical conversations – sharing what you are seeing on the ground, understanding current trends, and strengthening clear channels for reporting concerns and accessing support. Practical insight, not politics.
Delivered in partnership with Police, Safer Whanganui, and Mainstreet, the Forums bring retailers and the wider business community together for open, two-way discussion.
2026 dates – Mondays, 5.30 pm at Business Whanganui:• 23 February• 18 May• 17 August• 16 November
Contact us for more information: events@businesswhanganui.nz

Open Mic - Business for Breakfast
2026-03-10 07:00 - 08:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
​Business for Breakfast is a monthly event featuring a guest speaker from business, speaking on a topic of interest to the business community. Each session is paired with good food and coffee, and time to connect with other local business owners and leaders before the workday begins.
Food and drinks can be ordered in advance at the time of registration, or on the day. Buy your own breakfast. No charge to attend.
Choose your breakfast from FRANK.’s delicious menu — pre-order (recommended) or order on the day.📋 Pre-orders: Let us know your food and drink choices in the booking form – drink and food☕ Please note: Food and drinks are at your own cost.
Check out the menu here
Whether you’re growing your network, swapping ideas, or simply enjoying a relaxed start with like-minded local businesspeople, this is your place at the table.
MARCH 2026: This month we’re doing an open mic event:
Open Mic Business for Breakfast. Two minutes to introduce your business, share what matters, and let others know how they can work with you.
CONNECT — Put faces to names.
GROW — Create new opportunities.
ADVANCE — Make your voice known in the room.
Coming along? Give us a heads-up so we can save you a seat — and start your day with good food, good company, and great conversation.
Note: PRE-ORDERS close at 5pm Monday. If you are booking after this time, you are welcome to join us and order at the event.

Unleashing a Productivity Mindset: Manufacturing & Product-based Businesses
2026-03-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Improving Productivity through Continuous Improvement
This practical two-hour session introduces continuous improvement for manufacturing and product-based organisations. It supports teams to step back, examine how work is done, and identify small changes that lift performance.
Continuous improvement is a shared approach. It enables people at every level to contribute to better ways of working — every day.
What You Will Gain

Clear understanding of continuous improvement and Lean principles
A simple framework to improve processes and productivity
Practical tools to identify inefficiencies and support sustainable change
Insight into how AI can support smarter ways of working

Who Should Attend
Suitable for team members and leaders across manufacturing and product-based businesses. We encourage multiple people from the same organisation to attend to strengthen shared learning and impact.
At a Glance
Time: 9.00am – 11.00am (2 hours)Format: Interactive and practicalAudience: Manufacturing, product, office and service-based teams and leadersCost: Fully funded — no charge (normally $300 value)Booking: Essential — places limited

Funding
Delivered as part of the Productive Whanganui partnership with Whanganui District Council.

Unleashing a Productivity Mindset: Offices and Service-based Businesses
2026-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Improving Service Performance through Continuous Improvement
This practical two-hour session introduces continuous improvement for service-based organisations. It supports teams to step back, assess how work flows, and identify small changes that lift productivity, service quality, and customer experience.
Continuous improvement is a shared approach. It enables people at every level to contribute to better ways of working.
What You Will Gain

Clear understanding of continuous improvement and Lean principles
A simple framework to improve service flow and reduce friction
Practical tools to identify inefficiencies and strengthen consistency
Insight into how AI can support smarter service delivery

Who Should Attend
Suitable for frontline staff and leaders across service-based businesses. We encourage multiple people from the same organisation to attend to build shared understanding and support progress back in the workplace.

At a Glance
Time: 1.00pm — 3.00pm (2 hours)Format: Interactive and practicalCost: Fully funded — no charge (normally $300 value)Booking: Essential — places limited

Funding
Delivered as part of the Productive Whanganui partnership with Whanganui District Council.

Mindset to Method: Continuous Improvement Training
2026-03-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Continuous Improvement Training
Process Mapping, Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving
This practical one-day session introduces the core tools and mindset of continuous improvement through hands-on simulation. Participants learn key techniques and apply them immediately within a simulated process, reinforcing learning through action.
The day brings together essential improvement content into one comprehensive, practical experience.
This session is ideal for those who have attended Unleashing a Productivity Mindset and are ready to build practical, hands-on capability in this space. Prior attendance is not required.
Better Together
To support adoption back in the workplace, we recommend attending with at least one colleague. Shared understanding strengthens implementation and helps sustain momentum.
What You’ll Cover

The continuous improvement mindset
Process mapping to make work visible
Root cause analysis to identify underlying issues
Practical problem-solving tools
Customer-focused thinking
Framing and communicating improvement opportunities effectively

Outcomes
Participants will leave with:

Clarity on their role in continuous improvement
Confidence to contribute to improvement initiatives
Practical capability to analyse performance and identify opportunities

Check out this short video from our presenter Darcy for a quick overview of what this training covers and how it will build practical continuous improvement capability in your business.

At a Glance
Time: 9.00am – 3.00pm (6 hours, including breaks)Format: Interactive and practicalAudience: Manufacturing, product, office and service-based teams and leadersCost: Fully funded — no chargeBooking: Essential — places limited
Funding
Delivered as part of the Productive Whanganui partnership with Whanganui District Council.

Meet and Talk with Hon. Chris Penk — A Forum for Whanganui Business
2026-03-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us for the opportunity to meet and talk directly with Hon. Chris Penk, Minister for Building and Construction and Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing.
Minister Penk holds portfolios that matter for business — from earthquake-prone building policy to the construction pipeline and reducing compliance for SMEs and manufacturers.
This is a chance for Whanganui businesses and commercial building owners to hear directly from the Minister and share insight on the realities of doing business in our region.
📅 18 March⏰ 10.00am – 11.30am📍 Business Whanganui, 139 Guyton Street
Registration essential.

Business Whanganui Book Club
2026-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
About Book Club:
Book Club for Business is a relaxed, facilitated space for business owners and leaders who value connection, ideas, and thoughtful conversation.
Shaped by member feedback, the Book Club runs a light structure that supports inclusive, purposeful discussion while keeping the focus on books, ideas, and meaningful conversation.
Sessions are theme-led rather than book-led. We explore one theme at a time, drawn from topic areas such as Leadership, Strategy, Customers, and Workforce, using a range of ideas, readings, and perspectives to prompt discussion.
Reading is always optional. There’s no set text and no expectation to prepare. What matters is showing up, listening, and engaging in a respectful, well-facilitated conversation with peers who understand the realities of business.
If you value time to step back from the day-to-day and think alongside others, the Book Club will be a good fit.
What to expect:

Theme-led discussions, not a single set book
Light facilitation to ensure everyone has a voice
Optional reading — no homework pressure
A focus on ideas, perspective, and conversation

Book Club is a good fit if you:

Enjoy thinking about leadership and business beyond the day-to-day
Value discussion, listening, and learning from peers
Like structure without formality
Want ideas and perspective rather than problem-solving

If you’re after space to pause, reflect, and engage in good conversation with other business people, you’ll feel comfortable here.
It may not be for you if you’re looking for:

A mentoring programme
Hands-on business troubleshooting
A purely operational or technical session

Contact us for more information about this type of business support
Time and date:
Meets monthly on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 10.00am-11.00am (1-hour)
Where:
Note: the venue for the February meeting is FRANK. 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui.
Subsequent sessions will be held at Business Whanganui, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui (limited parking in the Courtyard, otherwise on-street parking please)
Register:
To join book club or sign up for book club updates, register below.

Attendance is complimentary and included as part of Business Whanganui membership.

Employment Relations Act Changes - what you need to know
2026-03-24 12:15 - 13:15 | Manawatu-Wanganui
Recent changes to the Employment Relations Act took effect on 21 February following the passing of the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2025.
If you want to understand the practical impact for your business, this session will give you a clear overview of what has changed and what action is required.
Join Robyn Young from RYHR for a practical, plain-English briefing designed to bring you up to speed quickly. We’ll cover the key updates, what to review in your workplace, and what to do next, with time set aside for questions at the end.
Tea, coffee and snacks of dubious nutritional value will be available. Please feel free to bring your lunch with you.
Attendance is complimentary, thanks to the support of Robyn Young HR (www.ryhr.co.nz)
Places are limited. Register to reserve your spot.

Business After 5 – eHaus Central Office Grand Opening
2026-03-25 17:30 - 19:00 | ehaus, Level 1, 7 Rutland Street, Whanganui
Our member community is invited to join eHaus as they celebrate the opening of their new Central Office in Whanganui and mark this milestone for their business.
In January, eHaus relocated to their new premises on Rutland Street and are marking the occasion by opening their doors to guests and the wider business community. Join them (and us) for drinks and nibbles as they celebrate this milestone and welcome visitors into their new space.

This is a great opportunity to see the new office, meet the eHaus team, and catch up with fellow members and the wider business community.
Date: Wednesday, 25 MarchTime: 5.30pm – 7.00pmWhere: Level 1, 7 Rutland Street, Whanganui (stair access)
RSVP essential

Business for Breakfast
2026-04-14 07:00 - 08:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us at Business for Breakfast — where the coffee, food, and company are all excellent. Whether you’re new to the business community or a familiar face, this is your chance to connect, share ideas, and build meaningful relationships.
Bring your business cards and make the most of the opportunity to connect with others and share what your business has to offer.
Choose your breakfast from FRANK.’s delicious menu — pre-order (recommended) or order on the day.📋 Pre-orders: Let us know your food and drink choices in the booking form – drink and food☕ Please note: Food and drinks are at your own cost.
Check out the menu here
Whether you’re growing your network, swapping ideas, or simply enjoying a relaxed start with like-minded local businesspeople, this is your place at the table.
Voice of Business – Guest Speaker
Real people. Real businesses. Real experience.
Each month at Business for Breakfast, we shine a spotlight on local business leaders who share their stories, insights, and lessons learned from real-world experience. Our Voice of Business speakers bring practical tips, personal stories, and inspiration you can take back to your own business.
Coming along? Give us a heads-up so we can save you a seat — and start your day with good food, good company, and great conversation.

Safer Business Forum Q2 2026
2026-05-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Manawatu-Wanganui

Safer Business Forum Q3 2026
2026-08-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand

Safer Business Forum Q4 2026
2026-11-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
