28 May 2025
Chamber Link – May 2025
Kia ora koutou,
Congratulations to Chris Hughes, who has been re-elected as Chair of the Southland Business Chamber, and to Melissa Dykes, who will carry on in the role of Deputy Chair. Their leadership, insight, and commitment to Southland’s business community will be instrumental as we head into a pivotal period of strategic renewal.
As we shape the Chamber’s next strategic plan, we’d love your feedback—good, bad or even ugly. Your input ensures we remain focused on what matters most to you.
👉 Click here to share your thoughts
We’re also preparing to host Mayoral debates for all three councils across the region and we want to ask the right questions—your questions.
👉 Submit a business-related question you’d like asked at the debates
And don’t forget, the Southland Business Confidence Survey is now open. This is your chance to help us capture the real pulse of business sentiment in the region. The survey closes 30 May 2025.
👉 Click here to complete the survey
Applications Closing Soon – 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards
One of the most anticipated events of the year is nearly here! Applications for the 2025 Datagrid Southland Business Excellence Awards close on 15 June—so if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time to act.
Whether you’re a sole trader, a small team, or a large enterprise, these awards are your opportunity to:
- Showcase your achievements
- Celebrate your team’s hard work
- Gain well-earned recognition at Southland’s most prestigious business event.
We know applying can seem daunting, but our team is here to help—friendly advice, encouragement, and hands-on support is just a phone call or email away.
Budget 2025 – Balancing Discipline with Opportunity
This year’s Budget was pitched as one of fiscal responsibility, and while it wasn’t packed with major new spending, there were some key takeaways for the business community—particularly those with an eye on growth, productivity, and future-proofing.
One of the headline announcements is the “Investment Boost” tax incentive, allowing businesses to claim an immediate 20% deduction on eligible capital investments (including machinery, equipment, and technology upgrades). This is designed to stimulate business investment in productive assets—something that many Southland businesses, particularly in manufacturing and food processing, are well-placed to take advantage of.
Another area of note is KiwiSaver reform, including proposed reductions in employer contributions for certain income brackets. While this could ease payroll costs for SMEs, the long-term implications on staff retention and employee expectations will need to be carefully watched. We’ll be working with national partners to understand what this means for Southland’s workforce and employer obligations moving forward.
There is also some modest funding to support regional skills development, including trade training and digital enablement, although we would have liked to see more ambitious investment in regional infrastructure and connectivity to truly back up the “Going for Growth” theme.
In short, the Budget offers a cautious but encouraging signal to businesses ready to invest—but the onus remains on us as a region to ensure we’re well-positioned to leverage these incentives and keep Southland on the national radar for economic potential.
We’ll continue to monitor how the changes land in real terms and will be engaging with our networks in Wellington to ensure rural and regional business realities are part of the national conversation.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud of the strong regional momentum through initiatives like Beyond 2025 Southland, and we remain focused on delivering value through advocacy, connection, and capability-building. Our advocacy work—whether it’s tackling regional flight connectivity, visa challenges, or skills shortages—remains grounded in your feedback, so please continue to speak up.
Click here to read the May Chamber Link Newsletter.
As always, if there’s something on your mind—reach out. We’re here to support, listen, and act.
Ngā mihi nui,
Sheree Carey
Chamber Link May 2025
