News
Tiwai aluminium smelter to stay open until end of 2024
Southland Chamber of Commerce president Neil McAra said the smelter extension was very good news which would bring certainty to smelter staff and the wider business community for the next four years. But it was important the Southland leaders now refined their plan for the longer term prospects for the region. “That work should continue on.” In the long term Southland wants to use the power generated from the Manapouri power station, currently used by the Tiwai plant, to create employment, he said.
Southland Chamber of Commerce champions workplace wellbeing
2020 has been extremely challenging for many business owners, both financially and in terms of their mental wellbeing. The Southland Chamber of Commerce (SCOC) was already working with its 4,500 members to encourage workplace wellbeing within local businesses. During lockdown it galvanised this work with a series of regular wellbeing webinars designed to boost members’ […]
Keeping this Glorious Place Glorious
Sitting in my office in Esk Street, the noise of the construction site across the road and the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers reminds me that we’re okay. The predicted doom and gloom of 5000 unemployed for our region and businesses closing down left, right and centre hasn’t happened and we’re just getting on […]
Export Southland Awards Reimagined for 2020
This year’s Southland Export Awards night will have an interesting new twist. In lieu of the traditional biennial September Export Southland Recognition Awards, which is facilitated by the Southland Chamber of Commerce, the trust felt it was more appropriate to have an evening of recognizing the trials and tribulations of a difficult year, due to […]
Tiwai Point smelter closure announcement devastating for Southland region
The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter closure announcement is devastating news that will have significant and wide-ranging impacts on the region, Southland Chamber of Commerce President Neil McAra says.
COVID-19 Information and Support
The Chamber is committed to connecting our region with the latest information and support services needed to get your business, and our community through the evolving impact of COVID-19.
SHAF Appoints Housing Champion
The Southland Housing Action Forum (SHAF) remains grateful for the support of its funders; Community Trust South, ILT, Southland Chamber of Commerce and SBS Bank, all of whom remain committed to supporting community projects such as SHAF.Support from these funders has helped make the vision of SHAF a reality by funding the appointment of Anna Stevens to the role of Housing Champion.
Employment support – Managing risks with COVID-19
As there is a lot of uncertainty and we have been fielding a lot of queries recently about COVID-19, with the assistance of Copeland Ashcroft Law, local health and safety and employment law specialists, we have set out some guidance below to manage the risks associated with COVID-19 and have answered some frequently asked questions.
Covid-19 – Update on Chamber Situation – WE’RE STILL HERE TO SUPPORT YOU
The Chamber team are all well and working from home in self-isolation as a precaution only. The advice from the Ministry of Health at this time is that unless you were in close contact with Neil you do not need to self-isolate. We’ve had a few concerned phone calls and can assure you that our offices have been thoroughly cleaned and we’ll be back in the arcade as soon as we’re able. In the meantime, we’re here to help and support Southland businesses through these unprecedented times.
Southland Chamber of Commerce Board Announced for 2019/20
The Chamber is delighted to announce that Neil McAra, Findex and Rod Sinclair, Focus Technology Group will continue on as President and Vice President of the Chamber, having been re-elected unopposed. Southland Chamber of Commerce was established by likeminded local business leaders 156 years ago. Today, the Chamber is more relevant than ever. The Chamber […]