Business Whanganui - Chamber of Commerce

Serious Marketing Workshop
2025-05-27 10:00 - 14:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
THE TEN : Tactics to Guarantee Results
STOP PLANNING. START PERFORMING!
Ready to move beyond theory and actually do the marketing that grows your business?
In this 4-hour workshop, Best Award-recognised marketing strategist Kit Lawrence will help you cut through the noise and focus on what successful marketing looks like, what it should cost, and what it can do for your business.
This isn’t a generic seminar. It’s a hands-on workshop that cuts through marketing complexity to focus on the tactics that actually generate results – from building audiences to creating loyal customers – using real-world examples from successful campaigns and exercises developed with local businesses in mind.
You will build a marketing approach that fits your goals, your audience, and your capacity — with practical steps for creating compelling messaging, high-value content, effective channels, and implementing methods that can be replicated for new products and services.
You will leave this workshop with:

All your marketing questions answered
A marketing blueprint customised for your business needs
Ready-to-implement tactics you can launch within 24 hours
A measurement framework to evaluate performance and optimise your approach
The confidence to teach your team and understand what ROI means for YOU!

This workshop is ideal for:
Business owners and teams who want to stop guessing, start marketing with purpose, and finally get a real return on investment.
Note:
A light lunch is included in the ticket price. If you have special dietary needs or specific food preferences, you are welcome to bring your own.

Business After 5 with Resonate Health Whanganui
2025-05-22 17:00 - 19:00 | Resonate Health Whanganui, Shop 2, 87 Victoria Avenue, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4500, New Zealand
The health and wellbeing of our teams is so important — it’s the foundation of a thriving workplace. That’s why we’re excited to feature Resonate Health Whanganui at this month’s BA5. Come meet the team, discover how they support workplace wellbeing, and take advantage of their special Business Whanganui-Chamber of Commerce Member-to-Member offer — available to you and everyone in your team.

Book Club - May: Smart Strategy, Strong Business
2025-05-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Each month, Business Book Club delves into a new business-focused theme, providing valuable insights for those looking to develop their skills, strengthen their leadership, and grow their businesses.
Smart Strategy, Strong Business
A well-crafted business strategy is the foundation of long-term success. It aligns goals, drives growth, and ensures resilience in a changing market. The right strategy helps businesses stay competitive, adapt to challenges, and seize new opportunities.
Discover how strategy contributes to business success—join Book Club to explore, learn, and grow together! 🚀
📖 Find out more about the 2025 programme and suggested resources: www.businesswhanganui.nz/book-club

Business for Lunch : Opportunities in Uncertainty - a deep dive with Jarrod Kerr Chief Economist Kiwibank
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:15 | Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, 4 Pukenamu Drive, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4500, New Zealand
FULLY BOOKED
Get ready for an insightful and energising Business for Lunch session with Jarrod Kerr, Chief Economist at Kiwibank. Over a light lunch, Jarrod will dive deep into the Kiwi economy, unpacking the pressure points impacting businesses right now—and shining a light on where new opportunities are emerging.
Offshore uncertainty is rising, with Trump back in power and global risks shifting fast. At home, the Reserve Bank’s tough stance on inflation is paying off. With more rate cuts coming, there’s real potential for renewed business activity—and Jarrod believes the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer.
Gain the expert insights you need to position your business for the recovery ahead. Plus, bring your questions—Jarrod will be answering them live in a Q&A session.
Complimentary thanks to Kiwibank.
Light lunch provided.

Business for Breakfast : Brand It. Plan It. Nail It. with Kit Lawrence
2025-04-08 07:00 - 08:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Business for Breakfast: Fuel Your Morning, Power Your Brand ☕🥐
Kickstart your day with great coffee, great company, and game-changing insights! This Business for Breakfast event is all about the power of branding and marketing—because your brand is who you are, and your marketing is how the world sees you.
Engagement strategist Kit Lawrence will break down why identity and strategy go hand in hand. Learn how a strong brand and an authentic story fuel effective marketing—and why going to market without a strategy is a risk your business can’t afford.
About Kit:A marketing and communications specialist with extensive experience in brand strategy, campaign management, and client relations, Kit has a proven track record of helping businesses maximise budgets, enhance market visibility, and drive engagement.
If you’re looking to elevate your brand, refine your marketing, and connect with like-minded professionals, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Fuel your morning, power your brand—join us for an inspiring start to your day!

Get Retail Ready: Scale Up, Stand Out, and Get On The Shelf!
2025-04-03 10:00 - 12:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Whanganui Makers, Producers and Growers, join us for this Emerging Suppliers Forum for an exclusive opportunity to gain expert insights from Rachel Prenty, Foodstuffs Emerging Supplier Manager, who has helped suppliers successfully scale their businesses across more than 300 PAK’nSAVE, New World, and Four Square stores.
Discover what it takes to bridge the gap between innovation and customer demand, with key learnings on supply chain resilience, sustainable operations, supermarket distribution, and consumer preferences.
“For many small businesses, the right guidance early on can prevent costly mistakes and shape critical decisions,” says Prenty. “This forum also connects suppliers within the same region, creating valuable networks of support.”
Whether you’re a maker, producer, or grower—or simply curious about how retail works from a supplier’s perspective—this is a must-attend event. Don’t miss the chance to learn, connect, and take your business to the next level!

Business After 5: Whatever Whanganui
2025-03-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Whatever Whanganui, 39 Drews Avenue, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4500, New Zealand
This month, we’re heading to Drews Avenue for Business After 5 with our hosts, Whatever Whanganui. They provide free, holistic, youth-friendly health services for young people aged 10–24, supporting the well-being of our future workers, customers, and business leaders.
Understanding and investing in the next generation is key to our business future—so join us to connect, learn, and explore this vital service. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, they’ll let us into the smash room! 🔨😃

Business Book Club
2025-03-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Each month, Business Book Club delves into a new business-focused theme, providing valuable insights for those looking to develop their skills, strengthen their leadership, and grow their businesses.
🔹 March Focus: Leadership 🔹Great leaders build positive cultures, drive engagement, spark innovation, and lead businesses to success. They set the tone, inspire their teams, and create environments where people thrive.
Discover how leadership shapes business success—join Book Club to explore, learn, and grow together! 🚀
📖 Find out more about the 2025 programme and suggested resources: www.businesswhanganui.nz/book-club
📩 Stay updated—join our Business Book Club contact list: events@businesswhanganui.nz

Business for Breakfast: The Leadership Behind a Winning Business with John Carr
2025-03-11 07:00 - 08:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
What does it take to build an award-winning business? Find out at this special Business for Breakfast event with John Carr, CEO of Fleet Line Markers, winners of the Supreme Award and multiple other accolades at the Whanganui Regional Business Awards 2024.
A humble yet highly effective leader, John will share insights into what a winning business philosophy looks like, the role of strong leadership in shaping business culture, and the key principles that drive their success.
If you’re looking to elevate your business, strengthen your leadership, and gain inspiration from a proven success story, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Fuel your morning, power your business—join us for an inspiring start to your day!

Book Club: Coffee & Cake
2025-02-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Our February meeting will be a chance to catch up, talk about any great business book, podcast, or article discoveries you’ve made over the summer, to introduce the new programme and gather your ideas.
From March, each month Book Club will explore a different business focused theme for people interested in developing their skills and understanding as business owners, and in growing their businesses.
Find out more about the programme for 2025 and suggested resources on our dedicated Book Club page in the Members Lounge www.businesswhanganui.nz/book-club.
Attendees are welcome to bring along any book, article or podcast they’ve read or listened to that’s related to the theme.
Interested? Message us to register:
Email: events@businesswhanganui.nz
Text: 021 345 385
Messenger: @businesswhanganuinz

Business Planning Day with Special Guest Nadia Lim and Mark Daniels Action Coach
2025-02-14 09:30 - 16:00 | Whanganui Racecourse, 19 Purnell Street, Whanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Ready to Make 2025 Your Best Business Year Yet? 🌟Dream Big. Plan Smart. Achieve More. 🚀
Get your ticket now for this inspiring Business Planning Day packed with fresh insights, practical strategies, and motivation to help you create your business future!
Thanks to the support of long-time Chamber member and advocate, Mark Daniels Action Coach, Business Whanganui members have the opportunity to attend this inspiring Business Planning Day featuring special guest speaker Nadia Lim – Nude Food enthusiast, cook, gardener, farmer.
Don’t miss this opportunity to start your year with a winning plan – book now!
✨ Special Guest Speaker: Nadia Lim💲 Tickets: $99+GST per person (limited availability!)📅 Date: Friday 14 February 2025📍 Location: Whanganui Racecourse🎟️ Book via email at admin@nzgrow.com
Note: Day includes guest speaker presentations, Pita Pit lunch, and a business planning session in the afternoon (templates provided). Please advise special dietary requirements at the time of booking.
This Event Supports Business WhanganuiOur small not-for-profit organisation with a significant community reach is funded through membership fees and the goodwill of supportive businesses and organisations, and individuals who share our vision for a vibrant, healthy, and prosperous business community that makes Whanganui a great place to live, work, learn, play, and do business. Thanks to the support of Mark and team, a percentage of your entry fee will be returned to the Chamber and will be used to expand on our work to support the Business Whanganui community in 2025.
Note: This Member Offer is the sole responsibility of the business making it and may be subject to availability and additional conditions not specified. Members are encouraged to confirm availability and review the terms directly with the respective business.

Book Club: Wine & Words
2025-02-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand

Christmas Gathering
2024-12-18 17:00 - 18:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us for Christmas Gathering, as we farewell 2024 and prepare ourselves for the fantastic 2025 year ahead.

Book Club End of Year Social 2024
2024-12-12 17:30 - 19:00 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Relaxed buy-your-own-drink get-together at Frank Bar on 12 December from 5:30pm for members (and prospective members) of the Coffee & Cake and Wine & Words Book Clubs to meet up and hear about next year’s exciting plans!

139th Annual General Meeting of the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated
2024-11-28 17:00 - 18:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated
139th Annual General Meeting
AGENDA
Whanganui Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc.
Thursday 28th November 2024 5.00pm
Business Whanganui, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui

Welcome & Open
Present:
Apologies:
Minutes of the Previous Annual General Meeting
Adoption of the Annual Report and Reviewed Accounts
Appointment of Reviewer:
Chair Report
Chief Executive Report
Election of Officers
General Business
Amendment to the Chamber Rules
Meeting formalities close

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE BOARD MEMBER NOMINATION FORM HERE:
WCCI Elected Board Member Nomination Form 2024.pdf

Coffee & Cake Book Club
2024-11-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Coffee & Cake Book Club meets at 10am every 3rd Thursday of the month at Business Whanganui, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui.
Please email us to be added to the comms list for Book Club: events@businesswhanganui.nz

Business for Breakfast
2024-11-19 07:00 - 08:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
Fuel your morning, power your business with Business for Breakfast.

Join us for breakfast, connections, and takeaways for your business. This month: “What’s So Great About You?” with guest speaker Nigel Irwin of Eagle HR. In a culture that shies away from self-promotion, have we also lost self-understanding? Learn how to name, claim, and aim your unique talents to thrive in life and work!

Each month we have different speakers from our business community sharing what they do, and offering tips and learning to support smarter business. Get in touch if you would like to be a speaker at one of these events.

Business After 5 with Outsourced Personnel + SOS Kit
2024-10-30 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Get ready for something new from Outsourced Personnel—a smart, practical solution designed to add extra security when life throws the unexpected your way. The big reveal happens Wednesday, 30th October, so stay tuned—exciting things are coming!
Meanwhile, Outsourced Personnel’s office-based recruitment division remains stronger than ever. Whether you’re seeking temporary, contract, or permanent roles, they continue to connect businesses with skilled professionals who are ready to make an impact. With Outsourced Personnel, you’re always prepared for what’s next.
Complimentary for Members

Business for Breakfast: Fuel your Morning, Power your Business
2024-10-22 07:00 - 08:30 | FRANK., 60 Ridgway Street, Whanganui, 4500, New Zealand
If you’re open to growth and opportunity, eager to work less IN your business and more ON it, or if you see technology as a powerful tool (not just a buzzword or something to be afraid of), then join us for Business for Breakfast this month. Enjoy good food, great company, and insightful discussion.

You’ll also hear about the exciting new City of Design Tohu —Whanganui’s quality seal—and explore how it could enhance your products.

This is your chance to learn, connect, and grow with our Whanganui business community. Don’t miss it!

Coffee & Cake Book Club with Elinor
2024-10-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Book Club are small group gatherings for members interested in learning through books and discussion; in developing themselves as business leaders; and in growing their businesses.
These gatherings run monthly as two groups – one daytime and one after business hours.
Wine & Words Book Club with Melita is on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 5.30pm
Coffee & Cake Book Club with Elinor is on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10.00am
RSVP below or contact us if you would like more information: call 021 345 385 or email events@businesswhanganui.nz

The Future of Water
2024-10-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Join us and guest speaker, Kathryn Stewart, Three Waters Transition Manager at Whanganui District Council, for a discussion on the future of water services in Whanganui. Learn about the upcoming changes, explore options for water delivery, and share your thoughts ahead of formal community consultation in 2025. Presentation and Q&A session.
More from WDC:
Following legislation recently brought in by Government, Councils across the country have been asked to meet new, stricter rules around financial management and the quality of their drinking water, stormwater and wastewater services – the three waters.
Managing water infrastructure is a substantial part of the council’s operations and makes a significant contribution to the well-being and health of our district.
The council is now on a timeframe set by the government to decide what our preferred option is for water delivery in Whanganui (i.e. whether we remain local or join up with some of our regional neighbours). Formal consultation with the community is planned for early 2025.
What is being asked:
Ahead of formal consultation we are wanting to engage with groups and individuals across Whanganui to hear what’s important to you around water management in Whanganui.
Kathryn will provide a brief presentation at the event, followed by a Q&A session. You will have the opportunity to provide any early feedback at the event or at a later date through an online platform.

Wine & Words Book Club with Melita
2024-10-10 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand

Whanganui Young Professionals September Networking
2024-09-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Porridge Watson, 30 Drews Avenue, Whanganui, 4500

Problem Solving with Elysabeth Wolters
2024-09-27 12:30 - 13:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Do you find yourself overthinking, worrying, and feeling stuck when it comes to making decisions? It’s common to feel drained when we can’t find clear solutions, but this one-hour workshop will introduce you to practical tools to help solve problems more effectively and rapidly.
In this session, we’ll explore several strategies to free up your mental energy and guide you toward multiple potential solutions, so you can take action with more confidence. Overthinking can lead to constant mental noise, causing exhaustion, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which often spirals into further feelings of stagnation. By learning how to approach problems differently, you’ll regain a sense of clarity, reduce anxiety, and boost your confidence.
If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of worry and overthinking, join us for this one-hour workshop. Together, we’ll unlock ways to make decisions with greater ease, freeing up energy to take meaningful action in both your personal and professional life.
We’d love to have you there!

This workshop is gifted to attendees by Business Whanganui member, Elysabeth Wolters of Lizzie’s Insights.

Business After 5 with Andrew Clifford
2024-09-26 17:00 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
We invite you to join us at our space in the La Station complex, Guyton Street for this Business After 5 gathering with guest speaker Andrew Clifford, Director, Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery.
Learn more about this exceptional community asset, the opportunities it presents, and its much anticipated reopening. Andrew will also be making a special announcement that we are particularly excited about!
Please ensure you RSVP as places are limited.

Ways to Wellness with Yee Ley
2024-09-23 12:30 - 13:30 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
Ways to Wellness with Yee Ley Lau
You are your business
WATCH YEE LEY’S INTRODUCTORY VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE
Join our experiential workshops designed to offer accessible, repeatable tools for a lighter way of living

Gain a sense of clarity and lightness
Uncover and address blind spots and release personal blocks
Gain momentum with creative ideas
Take inspired actions with a greater sense of freedom

These workshops are delivered as four, 1-hour sessions over lunchtime Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th, Thursday 26th September as a special event in support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.
Part 1: Self Care (Monday)
Explore what self-care means to you and how much time you dedicate to it. Session includes a guided relaxation session with live meditative soundscapes.
Part 2: Self Awareness (Tuesday)
Learn how cultivating self-awareness can enhance your well-being. Explore techniques to achieve a neutral mindset, which will help you identify and address unhelpful blind spots and belief systems that may be affecting your decision making and planning
Part 3: Conscious Creations, Conscious choices (Wednesday)
Dive into futurecasting to ignite your creative flow. This session focuses on generating innovations, ideas, and solutions for you and your team helping you to create consciously and make empowered choices.
Part 4: Inspired Actions (Thursday)
From Intensity to In10city
Transform from intensity to a state of optimal performance. Identify which activities and outcomes are not serving you and determine the inspired actions needed to elevate your life to a 10 out of 10

About Yee Ley
Yee Ley is a Family and Systemic Constellations Facilitator, Sound & Voice Facilitator, and Yoga Nidra Practitioner with over 15 years of experience with energy medicine and transpersonal practices in the UK and New Zealand. She assists people reconnect with their core being so they may choose a lighter way of living.
Previously spending over 10 years as a Business Analyst in broadcasting, Yee Ley now applies her analytical skills and intuitive insights as a Personal Transformation Facilitator. Her approach combines practical analysis with transpersonal techniques to enhance self-awareness.

Yee Ley Lau
Where awareness meets choice
hello@yeeleylau.com
www.yeeleylau.com | FB: yeeleylau | Instagram: yeeleylau
Private online sessions: Book appointment
InSight Timer Meditation Tracks: Yee Ley Lau (#1 meditation app)

This workshop is gifted to attendees by Business Whanganui member, Yee Ley Lau.

Book Club : Coffee O'Clock
2024-09-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand
The Book Club group meet up monthly at Business Whanganui in Guyton Street.
If you would like to join book club or find out more, please contact us: events@businesswhanganui.nz

Book Club : Wine and Words
2024-09-12 17:30 - 19:00 | Business Whanganui – Chamber of Commerce, 139 Guyton Street, Whanganui, 4501, New Zealand

Women After 5 : A Conversation with Women in STEM
2024-09-04 17:00 - 19:00 | The Burrow, 45 Taupo Quay, Whanganui, Wanganui-Manawatu, 4500, New Zealand
NOTE NEW DATE TO BE CONFIRMED
Join us for an inspiring event featuring guest speakers Patrycja Bonkowska and Sarah Bennetts from Beca, as we connect and engage in meaningful conversation about unconventional pathways and being women with STEM careers.
We look forward to seeing you on the 4th!
Notes about tickets:
Drinks and nibbles are included in our ticket price. We will have lovely nibbly bits curated by the team at The Burrow plus wine and alcohol-free drinks available.
Prices quoted for tickets are excluding GST.
We are pleased to offer Member Preferential Pricing for this event. (Did you know that when your business/employer is a member, everyone working in the business (or organisation) is too?)

Business After 5 at the Ngaporo Coffee Bar
2024-08-29 17:00 - 18:30 | Ngaporo Coffee Bar, Riverboat Centre and Museum, Taupo Quay (Waimarie Trust), Whanganui
DOH! CLICK HERE TO BOOK FOR THE SEPTEMBER BA5 WITH ANDREW CLIFFORD

Join us for Business After 5 at the Riverboat Centre to hear about the collaboration between the Waimarie Operating Trust and Whanganui’s newest coffee roasters, Derelict Coffee.
Learn how Ngaporo Coffee Bar got its name and how it will become more than just a place to get great coffee.
This is also an opportunity to hear how the Waimarie Operating Trust plans to mark the incredible milestone of 25 years since Paddle Steamer Waimarie returned to operation, a journey 125 years in the making, with an exclusive preview of some of what is happening.
Network with fellow Business Whanganui members in a relaxed environment, as we share the journey of Derelict Coffee, a brew with roots that trace back to the upper reaches of the Whanganui River.
Complimentary thanks to our hosts.
