Ata mārie,

Waikato Business Awards Closing Today
Entries for the 2026 Waikato Business Awards close today at 5pm. If you've been meaning to enter but haven't quite got there yet, there's still time to get started. The Awards are a fantastic opportunity to reflect on your achievements, celebrate your team, and showcase your business to the wider Waikato community. If you have questions about the process, need a hand getting underway, give Bex a call today on 027 423 4277 and have a chat about how we can support you.
 

Fieldays Success
A huge shout out to our member NZ National Fieldays! 2026 proved to be another outstanding event for the Waikato region, highlighting the innovation, expertise, and export potential of New Zealand's agricultural sector on the world stage. We were proud to facilitate a series of international business engagement opportunities throughout the event, hosting visiting delegations who were keen to learn more about New Zealand's world-leading agricultural products, services, and technologies.

We also welcomed a number of Ambassadorial and High Commission representatives, providing guided tours of Fieldays and introducing them to Waikato Chamber members and New Zealand businesses seeking to explore new international markets and reciprocal trade opportunities. Countries represented included Turkey, Spain, Pakistan, and Colombia, among others.

These connections help strengthen international relationships, open doors for future trade opportunities, and showcase the capability and innovation that exists within our region.

A special congratulations goes to Chamber member AFFCO, who were recognised with the Best Outdoor Site - Large award, a fantastic achievement and a testament to the quality of their Fieldays presence.

Fieldays continues to demonstrate why the Waikato is at the heart of New Zealand's agribusiness sector, and we look forward to seeing the opportunities created from the connections made during the event.
 

Waitomo Group: Fuel Market Update
Following recent global events and rising fuel prices, we asked our member Waitomo Group to provide a fortnightly update offering timely insights into the fuel market. This series is designed to help customers and businesses better understand what is driving change at the pump.

This week's piece explores the positive impact of easing tensions in the Middle East and what it means for Waikato businesses. With diesel and petrol prices falling sharply from recent highs, there is growing confidence that the worst of the recent fuel price shock may be behind us. We take a closer look at how global events influence local fuel costs, why fuel remains a critical business expense across our region, and the practical steps businesses can take to improve efficiency, manage costs and build resilience in an increasingly unpredictable world. Read the full article here. 
 

New Business Mental Health Toolkit Now Available
Health New Zealand has launched a free Business Mental Health Toolkit designed to help small and medium-sized businesses support the wellbeing of their teams. The toolkit brings together practical resources, guidance, and free mental health support services, making it easier for employers to promote wellbeing in the workplace, even without a formal Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Resources include information on 1737, Access and Choice services, digital wellbeing tools, posters, wallet cards, and conversation guides for staff. To learn more and access the toolkit, click here.

Have a great week ahead,
The Chamber Team

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