Hutt News, December 22, 2015

The Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce now has more members than Wellington’s chamber.

A rough few years for the Wellington Chamber saw its membership drop to 606 in August, according to documents obtained by Fairfax.

This compared to a membership of 669 at the end of 2014/15 year for the Hutt Valley Chamber, an increase on 2013/14 of 13.

A majority of the Hutt Valley Chamber members were sole traders or those employing five or fewer staff.

Chief executive Mark Futter said that corresponded with an 11 per cent increase in membership revenue.

“Our membership numbers from Wellington have doubled in a couple of years.” (more…)

Hutt News, November 17, 2015

Two new features on what will be developed in to a public art trail alongside Waiwhetu Stream were unveiled last week.

Untie Me by Duncan Sergent and Stele:Seal by David Mc Gill both had their genesis at the Rotary Club of Hutt City’s biennial Shapeshifter showcase of sculpture.  Trustees of e Tu Awakairangi Hutt Public Art Trust liked the original works entered in shapeshifter by the two Wellington sculptors and asked them to develop larger pieces ‘more to our purpose” for the Waiwhetu trail, trust chairman Greg Thomas said.

Allan Brown of E Te Awakairangi Sculpture Trust, left, and artist David McGill, with McGill’s sculpture Stele:Seal, placed near the Hutt River mouth.

Wellington artist Duncan Sergent, left, and Allan Brown of Lower Hutt’s E Tu Awakairangi Sculpture Trust, with Sergent’s work Untie This, which is sited along a walkway by Waiwehtu St

(more…)

The Dominion Post, Monday November 16, 2015

Minister for Women Louise Upston presented electrical subcontractor Seven Electrical with an industry training award for its contribution to apprenticeship training. Pictured with her, from left are apprentice Halina Bucknor, managing director Ian Butturini, apprentice Matilda Anderson and The Skills Organisation chief executive Garry Fissenden.

A Lower Hutt electrical contractor has won recognition for putting new talent at the centre of its business.

Seven electrical won a training award on behalf of the Skills Organisation industry training organisation (ITO), in recognition of the exceptional number of young people it has trained.

Managing director Ian Butturini said providing high quality training was a key way to address the current low productivity issues in the construction industry.  But investing in training was an added cost for firms, he said. (more…)

Hutt News, October 27, 2015

Hutt Valley business confidence in New Zealand’s economy has dipped, according to a survey conducted by the Hutt Valley chamber of Commerce late last month.

Chief Executive Mark Futter, said of the results: “It’s a mixed outlook, but Hutt Valley businesses are still feeling confident about their own business, and it’s a fairly even spread as to whether the national economy will decline or improve.” (more…)

Hutt News, October 6, 2015

An encounter with Professor James Belich provided the inspiration for a biography of influential scientists, James Hector.

James Hector: Explorer, scientist, leader by Simon Nathan, has special significance as Avalon based GNS Science, is celebrating its 150^th anniversary this year.  It was founded by Hector in 1865.

Nathan worked for many years at GNS and was aware of the impact Hector has as the father of science in New Zealand. (more…)

Hutt News, September 15, 2015     

Many know the story of how a falling apple inspired Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity.  Far fewer know that a cutting from that apple tree ended up in Lower Hutt.

There are now nine apple trees growing on Callaghan innovation’s campus in Gracefield which have a link going back to the 1600s.

And more cuttings are to be planted in the community as part of a heritage fruit tree programme. (more…)

Hutt News, September 1, 2015

Six Hutt Valley companies will get funding from Callaghan innovation to employ students over the summer break, allowing them to gain important work experience in New Zealand’s fast growing hi-tech sector.

R&D Student Experience Grants allow students with science, technology, engineering design or business qualifications to advanxc3 their skills and understanding of commercial R&D within New Zealand companies.

The local firms to host students are: Formway Design Ltd of Seaview; Tekron International and Times-7 Holdings of Alicetown; CRL Energy and Nuenz of Gracefield and Pertronic Industries of Taita. (more…)

Hutt News, August 11, 2015

A plan for one council across Wellington was ditched by the Local Government Commission but the minsiter has dropped a big hint she’s not going to let the issue drift. (more…)

Hutt News, August 11, 2015

Pupils reaping benefits from Mobil’s generous donations

Randwick School pupil Kingston Mahuika 8 is using software to put music to a rap song he was writing called Crazy Zoo.

Mobil presented the school with $11,600 worth of computers and reading books last week.

It is part of a programme to foster schools close to the Mobil Seaview Terminal.

Mobil has previously helped Randwick School purchase science kits, magnifying glasses, thermometers, magnets and a life sized skeleton.

Dominion Post, June 26^th 2015

A pick-up in industrial leasing in Wellington is just one sign of the city’s recovering commercial property market.

After several lacklustre years, property experts say Wellington’s commercial property market is entering the start of a growth cycle.

Dogged by the global financial crisis, Wellington was also buffeted by earthquake fears, rising insurance premiums and a wave of corporates moving to Auckland.

One of several high profile Wellington property deals recently, 80 The Terrace sold for 36.1 million.

But in 2015, the drift to Auckland is arguably slowing, and business indicators are ticking upwards. (more…)