Overview of Waikato Region in the Infometrics Quarterly Review
The Waikato Region continues to quietly get on with business despite a minor reduction in the region’s GDP in the last quarter.Given the recent rise in the Global Dairy Trade auction prices we see a more positive outlook for our economy running up to Christmas than we have...
Cautiously optimistic
August 15, 2024
By Chamber CEO, Don Good
The August OCR announcement has come and gone and with it a great deal of negative press on the Governor, the Monetary Policy Committee and the Reserve Bank whilst applauding the cut to 5.25%OCR 5.25% - Monetary restraint tempered as inflation converges on target - Reserve B...
Tangible Economic Development (TED) - What is it?
August 5, 2024
The Waikato Regional Council is trying to find out. Te Waka, the regional economic development agency has closed. Some Waikato councils have strengthened their own economic development staff levels amid allegations of not getting any benefit from Te Waka. A lot of ...
Record number of entries for Waikato Business Awards
July 9, 2024
The Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, supported by Foster Construction Group, has received a record number of entries for 2024. There are 88 entries across different categories.“That’s the is the most we have ever had and is 11 more than last year,” said mar...
Long-Term Plan (LTP) Season
April 29, 2024
By Chamber CEO, Don Good
It's LTP season throughout the country as local councils rewrite their long-term plans. Most are going to the Bank of Ratepayers for double digit increases at a time when Kiwis are coping with a cost of living crisis.With the Consumer Price Index rising by 20% since the star...
The Future of Te Huia
April 29, 2024
By Chamber CEO, Don Good
The time has come to decide on the white elephant we call Te Huia. The data is clear: the number of passengers is not growing but the costs are. In a cost of living crisis, we have blown $100 million of taxpayer and ratepayer funds on a form of transport we knew was never go...
Amalgamation
April 16, 2024
By Chamber CEO, Don Good
Has the time for the amalgamation of the Waikato’s 13 territorial authorities arrived? Most Waikato councils are close to their debt ceiling and experiencing a downgrade in their viability. They are also facing really big costs to ensure their core services and infras...
By Waikato Chamber CEO, Don Good
In mid-November last year, the Chamber changed its fleet vehicle from a Ford Ranger diesel ute, the biggest selling vehicle in NZ, to a 2023 Ford Mustang. No, not the V8 but the Mach-E rear wheel drive version.Now a fraction under 10,000km later it is time to tell the journe...
Local government Long Term Plans (LTPs)
March 12, 2024
By Waikato Chamber CEO, Don Good
It is that time of the electoral cycle when Long Term Plans are laid out and rates struck. Local government across New Zealand is struggling. Encouraged by central government, they have had six years of myriad co-funded projects to deliver. Due to the fair pay initiativ...
What a great start to the year!
February 23, 2024
By Waikato Chamber CEO, Don Good
While some people and the media are doom and gloom merchants, the Waikato Chamber of Commerce has been buzzing since mid-January with events that have been running at or close to capacity.Business people are out and about, enjoying the sun no doubt but putting a lot of effor...
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