EVENTS & ADVOCACY

TSB BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Our premier business event was held at the TSB Stadium on Saturday 9 November.

Our sincere thanks to; all the businesses that entered, our fabulous judges that give so much of their time to interview and write feedback for the entrants and the expert editing skills of our Feedback Facilitator Virginia Winder.

We gratefully acknowledge our wonderful sponsors and event partners who support us, not just financially, but with encouragement and assistance to ensure we are able to recognise and celebrate excellence in Taranaki.

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS

These monthly events are more popular than ever! Held on the first Tuesday of most months, these networking events are an ideal opportunity for you to promote your business and showcase your operations, facilities, staff, products and services and to meet potential customers. It is the perfect platform to strengthen and grow business contacts and interact with the Chamber network.

October Business Connections was hosted by Taranaki Retreat, followed by Millennium New Plymouth in November, and we have just held our Christmas event at Chamber House hosted by Theory Food and Eat a Rainbow Foundation.

Our first event for 2025 will be on 4 February at Port Taranaki.

Jo Whyte Event Manager

ADVOCACY

We continue to advocate for our members on both local and national levels.

Advocacy for business this year included:

• Commercial Waste Collection

• Repair of the Downtown Carpark Cycleways and reduction of car parking spaces outside businesses

• Funding for local training establishments

• Rough Sleepers

• Retail Crime

• Rates Increases and Rating Differentials

• Meetings with Ministers and Members of Parliament

• Workplace Health & Safety Reform

• NZTA Waka Kotahi

• Immigration Quotas – labour and skills shortages

• Council Long Term Plans

• Establishment of the Ethnic Business Owners Forum

We have two columns in the Taranaki Daily News each month – Chamber Chat and Business Voice. If you have an issue that concerns you and your business, we want to hear from you. Just contact Michelle or email admin@taranakichamber.co.nz and put Business Voice in the subject line.

WE WELCOME OUR NEW BARA MEMBERS –

Nga Iwi o Taranaki, Three Sisters Brewery, New Plymouth Taxis, Marnco, Brixton Property, India Today, New World New Plymouth, Bow and Petal, Pattersons Salon - Thanks for your support!

BECOME A BARA MEMBER

We have a special membership rate for existing Chamber members with 1-5 staff. For just an additional $35.00+GST you can be a member of BARA as well and you don’t have to be based in the CBD! For businesses with six or more staff, BARA membership is only an additional $150.00+GST.

If you are passionate about the city you live in and have a genuine interest in supporting local business, then we want you to be part of an organisation that has the same philosophy, passion and drive. By working together we can make a difference.

Please contact Michelle or Rebecca to discuss BARA membership.

Follow BARA on Facebook – New Plymouth CBD Alive

Michelle Brennan Advocacy & Communications Manager