In this newsletter:

• Don’t miss your last chance: late entries accepted

• All-of-Government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy

• Procurement Support for Pacific Construction and Trade businesses

• Employment Rights and Obligations Workshop

• Waihanga Ara Rau (WDC Construction) Roadshow event 

• What kind of innovator are you? How to bring innovation into your business

• Be part of the Active Business Community

• Give your business a digital boost

Don’t miss your last chance: late entries accepted

A few businesses have asked for a little extra time to enter the Pacific Business Awards so we are accepting late entries.

Here’s the last chance to enter and showcase the significant work that you are doing in business, with your clients, staff and in the community. Share your story and be recognised for your outstanding contribution.

The late deadline–and this is your final chance to enter– is now this Tuesday 27 September 10am.

Don’t miss your opportunity to earn recognition for your impressive work.

Complete your entry online now.

#pbtawards22

All-of-Government Pacific Wellbeing Strategy

The Pacific Wellbeing Strategy sets clear path to improve outcomes for Pacific Aotearoa strengthening partnerships with Pacific communities and All-of-Government.

This important strategy was launched last week by Minister Sio who shared “Working alongside communities to ensure more of our aiga and families have access to the staples of life like, housing, education, training and job opportunities provides more prosperous communities, and ensures greater economic security for all New Zealanders,”

“This establishes new ways of working across Government to answer the call to action from Pacific communities to achieve the Lalanga Fou vision of a thriving, confident, resilient, healthy and prosperous Pacific Aotearoa,” Aupito William Sio said.

“The Pacific Wellbeing Strategy includes a set of indicators and measures that will hold Government agencies to account if they do not meet expectations and identify any gaps that need addressing.

“This piece of work will improve outcomes for Pacific communities now and well into the future, ensuring no one is left behind during the post-Covid economic recovery,” Aupito William Sio said.

The strategy identifies four key priorities:

• Establishing genuine partnerships between Government agencies and Pacific Communities that work towards tangible outcomes likes homes, jobs and training opportunities

• To measure and monitor the impact of investment in Pacific communities through the All-of-Government Pacific Wellbeing Outcomes Framework to ensure targets are being met

• To build and strengthen cultural capability and engagement approaches across Government

• Ensuring Pacific cultural values and principles are at the heart of the Strategy

For more information about the strategy, visit here.

Procurement Support for Pacific Construction and Trade businesses

Click here to watch full interview

Christine Laulu is a Business Advisor for the Procurement Support Services team at Pacific Business Trust. Her Pacific family background is Tongan, Samoan and Papua New Guinean. Christine joined PBT a little over four months ago and although she's new to her role, she's done some fantastic work already with the Procurement team. Facilitating our face-to-face workshops for our Pasifika businesses, particularly those in the Construction industry, Christine is part of the team that looks after the Procurement Support Services Projects. She shares in this interview what the Procurement services is and how to get support for your business.

Interested in the Procurement Support Service? Please contact Christine at 0800 287 7526 or email info@pacificbusiness.co.nz.

Employment Rights and Obligations Workshop

This workshop run by Pacific Business Trust is suitable for business owners who have employees or are looking to employ people and want to get a better understanding of employee rights and your obligations as an employer in New Zealand.

Gain an awareness and understanding of the laws that keep New Zealand workplaces fair and your responsibilities in meeting them. This will help you to avoid facing significant penalties for not meeting your obligations, and help improve your business’s performance.

You’ll learn about:

• Employee rights and how they differ for employees, contractors and volunteers

• Employment agreements and what they must include

• Trial periods

• Leave

• Public holidays

• Rest and meal breaks

• Minimum wage

• Record-keeping

• Bullying, harassment and discrimination

• Redundancy and dismissal

• Resolving problems

When: 29 September 2022

Where: Online via Zoom

Register Here

We look forward to seeing you online for this workshop.

Waihanga Ara Rau (WDC Construction) Roadshow event 

The first ever roadshow event from Waihanga Ara Rau the Workforce Development Council (WDC) for Construction and Infrastructure will be held on Friday 30 September in the morning. This event at the Ellerslie Racecourse Events Centre has been developed in partnership with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and Tāmaki Makaurau Regional Skills Leadership Group.

The role of Waihanga Ara Rau is to ensure the vocational education system meets industry needs and will enable participants to have their say on what’s happening across construction and infrastructure in their region. 

Attendees will:

• Receive an update on the pipeline of work, along with workforce issues and opportunities coming from our Regional Report for Auckland. Summaries can also be found here.

• Have input into the development of Waihanga Ara Rau's 5-year strategy.  

• Discuss the challenges and opportunities attracting domestic and international workers.  

• Provide feedback on the work of Regional Skills Leadership Group 

  Tāmaki Makaurau RSLG Regional Workforce Plan

This feedback will inform the advice that we provide to government and industry, especially on vocational education and training. In addition, this is a great opportunity to meet and speak to others across the industry. 

Food and beverages will be provided.  

When: 30 September

Where: Ellerslie Racecourse Events Centre, Auckland Register Here

What kind of innovator are you? How to bring innovation into your business

Since WWII, Aotearoa New Zealand’s productivity has lagged behind the rest of the world. There’s no quick fix to this complex problem. But an innovative business culture embraced by all would be a good start.

Imagine your organisation five years from now. Your pipeline is growing, and you’ve got the capacity to service it without needing to continually hire more people. Your team is responsive and energised, discovering new ways to improve on services and create future experiences that wow clients. You’re building new tools and finding big and small ways of working that set you apart in the market which  help maximise your profit so you can have more impact.

If you want your organisation to succeed – really succeed, in a way that sees you stand out in the market and have a lasting impact that aligns with your strategic vision – then you need to innovate.

The good news is that creating an innovative organisation doesn’t require big R&D budgets and large teams. In fact, the people you already have on board are already innovation leaders. All they need to improve efficiency, enhance customer experience and increase responsiveness is a strategic nudge – and the empowerment to go beyond.

Led by Advisory Works the peerless Chris Pope, this fifth lunchtime leadership series brings you “How to Bring Innovation into your Business” – a presentation on the practical steps that you should be taking to foster a new kind of mindset.

In this inspiring session, Chris will cover a host of topics, including:

• the key assets and frameworks that’ll help your people choose the right future for your organisation,

• the ways of capitalising on emerging technologies, and

• the practical steps you can take to access, assess and mobilise new ideas

This workshop takes place on:

Date: Thurs, 29 September, 2022

Time: 12.30pm to 1.15pm

Register Here

Be part of the Activate Business Community

The Activate Tāmaki Makaurau Business Community is overflowing with exclusive, free tools and resources that you can access right now. This includes guides, checklists, handbooks, e-learning, e-books, and practical webinars to support your business. Tune into the upcoming free online events provided by our Activate Tāmaki Makaurau programme partners, which are aimed at moving your business forward.

Events First Steps e-Learning Courses From 13 September – 30 December (Online courses) | Sign Up Here Could you or someone in your business benefit from some workplace wellbeing learning? These FREE e-Learning courses may be just the ticket. They have been provided through the First Steps programme to specifically help small business owners and their staff access learning that can provide immediate benefits to workplace wellbeing.

These courses are provided free of charge for a limited time (until 30 December), and can be completed in your own time, at your own pace. Simply click the link to enrol in the courses you would like to do. For more information, please contact – learn@ema.co.nz

New AEWV System – An Open Discussion

Thursday 29 September from 10am – 11am (Online) | Sign Up Here

Have all your questions answered about the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) via a practical online discussion with Lukas Sousa (Malcolm Pacific Immigration) and Joanna Hall (EMA’s Senior Policy Advisor). Lukas and Joanna will provide tips and tricks around how to streamline each of the three stages - Employer Accreditation, Job Check, and Visa Application. They will also highlight some common errors to be mindful of. There will be plenty of time for you to have all your questions answered. You can send your questions about the new AEWV system through to us in advance of the event via www.slido.com using our #immigration. Note that Chatham House Rule applies for this event, therefore, the session will not be recorded. For more information, please email debora.amercio@ema.co.nz

2035 Agri-Food-Tech Oceania Summit

Monday 10 – Tuesday 11 October from 7.30am – 5pm (Aotea Centre) | Sign Up Here

The 2035 Oceania Summit is bringing stakeholders from all facets of the region’s agri-food-tech industry to discuss how to collectively reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and design more resilient growing systems to address the intensifying impact of climate change. The Summit is more than just a two-day meeting. It’s part of a longer-term platform designed to focus on actionable outcomes that will create positive global impact. It will feature plenary sessions, breakout sessions, an exhibition, a start-up hub, an investment pitch event, and a line-up of major local and international speakers.

The programme is designed to connect key stakeholders across the Oceania region and beyond, to finally address the impact of climate change on the agri-food industry.

Summit outcomes include:

• Identifying opportunities to develop a net-zero food production system

• Leveraging the scientific advances being developed by our research community

• Taking decisive action to protect and conserve our oceans

• Working with indigenous communities by harnessing the power of traditional knowledge, science and technology

• Encouraging investment into our region’s growing agrifood tech sector

• Empowering our farmers to adopt news ways of sustainable agricultural production For more information, please visit here

Resources:

Sustainability Tools for Businesses

Businesses can now access free, practical tools and resources to help them begin their sustainability journey. From strategy to procurement and zero waste, there are plenty of ways to make your business more sustainable. The tools and resources are designed to make it easy for you to learn and take action in key areas including climate, waste and nature restoration.

To access helpful guides and more information, please visit here.

Bullying and Harassment for Workers – First Steps

Bullying and harassment have been all too common in New Zealand workplaces. They represent a considerable threat to workers’ safety and wellbeing, and negatively affect performance and productivity. This foundation-level course examines bullying and harassment in the workplace, the type of behaviour that should be avoided, and what workers can do if bullying or harassment is occurring in their workplace.

Once completed, you’ll be able to:

• Identify the types of behaviour that constitute bullying or harassment, and

• Understand your responsibilities if bullying takes place.

For more information, please visit here.

Free workplace wellbeing support with First Steps

Small businesses can easily get a free snapshot of workplace wellbeing in their business and gain access to useful resources, learning and toolkits that can immediately help by completing the Workplace Wellbeing Risk Diagnostic Tool. Learn how First Steps can support your workplace by registering to use it now for free.

For more information, visit First Steps 

Give your business a Digital Boost

If you want the chance to win a $25,000 digital kit for your business, head to digitalboost.co.nz and watch two videos to enter. The competition is running all month! Register Here

Have a great long weekend.