News
Chamber: ‘This is momentous for Southland’
The Southland Business Chamber says securing the future of the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter, marking a monumental milestone for the region. The organisation says the agreement, guaranteeing energy supply from three generators until at least 2044, brings unparalleled certainty to the community, staff, and suppliers for the next two decades.
ENGAGE Cluster Champions Long-Term Opportunities for Southland’s Engineering and Manufacturing Sector
The Southland Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster (ENGAGE) stands poised to champion and maximise the long-term opportunities emerging in the wake of recent developments in the region.
Certainty Secured for Tiwai Aluminium Smelter: A Milestone for Southland
The Southland Business Chamber is thrilled at the announcement securing the future of the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter, marking a monumental milestone for the region. The agreement, guaranteeing energy supply from three generators until at least 2044, brings unparalleled certainty to the community, staff, and suppliers for the next two decades. The Chamber is ecstatic for the stability this announcement brings and the positive impact it will have on the wider Southland community.
Chamber: Tiwai uncertainty leaves businesses in limbo
Southland Business Chamber chief executive Sheree Carey said many businesses were in limbo ahead of Rio Tinto announcing whether the smelter would remain open or close.
Galvanising, plastics facilities proposed for Southland
Cluster manager Brendan Gray said he was in talks with a business founder from Auckland that were “looking promising” for plastics processing, but no timeline had been set yet. “There was enough interest out there” for a galvanising plant, he said, and the idea was in a due diligence phase.
Southland Business Chamber Board Announced for 2024/25
The Southland Business Chamber is pleased to unveil its newly elected board members for the 2024/25 term, reinforcing the Chamber's commitment to fostering robust leadership and representation within the local business community.
Young Navigator: ‘I’m taking that pride in my school with me’
Year 13 Aurora College student Tristin Smith has been chosen as the Southland representative for the Young Enterprise Scheme’s Young Navigators business programme.
Proposal to solve Fiordland’s immediate worker accommodation crisis
A proposal to help solve Fiordland's immediate worker accommodation crisis as early as this Spring, was presented at two meetings in Te Anau today (12 Apr) by the Fiordland Business Association (FBA) and Timaru's Genius Homes.
Southland businesses hit as farmers slow spending
Southland Chamber of Commerce president Neil McAra said there'd been a considerable drop in farmers spending over the last year - which means surrounding service industries are doing it tough. "It's been very noticeable, both sheep and beef and dairy farmers have had to cut their budgets significantly which flows directly into the service sector and anything else that relates to that whether it be boats, cars or discretionary spend.
Life’s challenges spur Southland students’ Mexico business trip
Maddix Pettigrew and Kobi Harpur will be part of a team of eight students from New Zealand travelling on a ten-day, all-expenses-paid Young Enterprise Scheme business trip to Mexico in April.
Crucial insights for Southland’s business and workforce from the Decent Work Survey
The survey design, delivery, and data analysis were overseen by independent experts at Massey University. CEO of the Southland Business Chamber, Sheree Carey, says the Decent Work Survey has significant benefits for the members of the broader business community.
“Get a Life” toolkit
Southland Business Chamber’s members surveys consistently pinpoint staff recruitment and retention as the foremost issue confronting Southland businesses. Spearheaded by Great South, the "Get a Life" toolkit initiative is underdevelopment and will be launched in coming weeks.
The Print Farm
The Southland Business Chamber runs the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) in the Southern Region and proudly announces a landmark initiative for Southland's youth entrepreneurship: the Print Farm. This pioneering effort coincides with YES's most significant year yet, featuring involvement from 10 schools and over 200 students, all diving into the challenge of creating their own startup businesses.
Southland contingent investigates hydrogen opportunities
“We have a real opportunity here. There is a large body of work already being done, and collectively, we can make some real impact and speed up the pace to move towards a more sustainable future."
‘No idea is a bad idea’: Fixing Te Anau’s housing crisis
Innovation and action from authorities and local landowners is needed urgently to tackle Te Anau’s critical housing shortage and protect Fiordland’s economy, its business association says.
Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster identifies key themes: Collaboration and innovation at the forefront
Brendan Gray, Southland Engineering Cluster Manager, expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the engineering community, saying, “It has been enlightening working with industry, understanding the needs and desires of the engineering and manufacturing community to fully support their transition and growth into a new era of business opportunities.”
Community Development Fund seeks more applications
The Murihiku Rūnaka and Rio Tinto / NZAS Community Development Fund, established by Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS and Rio Tinto, is now inviting applications for the second round of funding. The Fund, launched in 2023 as part of a commitment when Murihiku Rūnaka and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, NZAS […]
Housing Crisis Threatens Fiordland Economy
Business Association reveals urgent need for action. Nathan Benfell, Chair of the Fiordland Business Association, today shared the results of a recent survey conducted with local businesses, addressing the critical housing shortage in Te Anau. The findings underscore the urgent need for strategic solutions to address the housing crisis, which is affecting businesses, employees, and […]
2024 Annual General Meeting
Noticed is given that the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Southland Business Chamber will be held 10.30am, Thursday 11 April 2024.
Tiwai smelter closure would ‘bloody hurt’: Business Chamber
No decision had been made on the smelter’s future, and chamber chief executive Sheree Carey said she hoped it would remain open for many years. However, in the event it closed, Southland firms needed to be ready, she said
Chamber planning to offset possible smelter closure
The chamber is taking proactive steps to ensure the region’s businesses are well prepared for any transition as a result of the potential closure of the Tiwai Point alumnium smelter in December, while remaining supportive of its continued operation.
DHL Market Update
Air Freight State of the IndustryJanuary 2024 Learn from the valuable industry insights created by our Air Freight Experts. In a Nutshell Click here to read Air Freight State of the Industry update (January 2024) Ocean Freight Market Outlook 2024 Deepen your understanding of the industry. Here are our top recommendations for the year. Click here […]
Business Confidence Survey
The survey for the quarter ending 28 February 2024 is now open and we ask you to take a few minutes to complete this.
Southland Innovation Centre: A leap forward for business, community growth
Through strategic partnerships with local and national entities, the Innovation Centre aims to create an environment rich in collaboration, resource sharing, and growth opportunities.
Southland’s Chris Hughes Assumes Leadership Role on National Stage as NZCCI Chair
The Southland Business Chamber proudly congratulates Chris Hughes, a valued member of its Board, on his election as Chair of the New Zealand Chambers of Commerce Inc. (NZCCI) Board. Chris’s election is a testament to his outstanding leadership and dedication to the business community, both regionally and nationally. Having served one term on the NZCCI […]