http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.waikatochamber.co.nz en-us Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:52:24 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/168785/fuel-market-update-for-waikato-businesses/ The fuel market has travelled a fair distance over the past month.At the start of the period, the dominant story was improving conditions through the Strait of Hormuz, recovering crude supply and a gradual retreat from the extreme pricing seen earlier in the year. That gave the market confidence that the worst of the supply crisis had passed.More recently, however, that recovery has been interrupted.Crude oil has risen again as tensions in the Persian Gulf have intensified, while diesel has move... Mon, 17 Aug 2026 08:53:06 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post168785 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/168712/ceo-thoughts-august-2026/ Unity or uncertainty?Will our local politicians be BOLD? Or wimp out?  That is the question.Based on amalgamation decisions reached by Waikato councils this week, many councillors have proven to be cowards. Why are your neighbours so scary?Not unifying has caused more uncertainty for business. We hate uncertainty. We stop investing, we stop employing new people, we hunker down to conserve our resources.Out of our 11 councils in the Waikato, two have opted out of the process and will be told... Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:26:07 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post168712 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/167667/fuel-market-update-for-waikato-businesses/ The past month has seen the fuel market move through three distinct phases: sharp relief as the initial Persian Gulf crisis eased, a period of relative stability as crude supplies recovered, and now a renewed increase in prices as geopolitical risk has returned. The latest move is material. Crude oil has risen by approximately US$6.50 per barrel as tensions in the Persian Gulf have intensified. That increase is flowing directly into petrol, while diesel has risen much more sharply because the cr... Thu, 16 Jul 2026 15:36:00 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post167667 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/167231/ceo-thoughts-july-2026/ Here are a few thoughts to challenge your thinking and to keep you aware of issues that may impact your business.FieldaysFieldays felt as though it was a turning point in our economic recovery. After a good start to 2026, the woe of the oil price shock caused by the Middle East conflict gave everyone a fright, but supply has remained open, prices are trending down, and we did not collapse.Then along came Fieldays.Recovery is an attitude, and our resilience stems from our attitude. The 2026 Field... Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:08:31 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post167231 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/166507/fuel-food-and-business-resilience-what-the-iran-de-escalation-means-for-waikato-businesses/ For Waikato businesses, the latest developments in the Middle East are a welcome reminder that fuel markets can move down as quickly as they move up when geopolitical risk starts to unwind. After several weeks of intense concern around the Strait of Hormuz, this week has delivered a major de-escalation in the situation. While the region remains sensitive, the market is now increasingly optimistic that the worst of the immediate fuel price shock may be behind us.That optimism is already showing t... Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:56:37 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post166507 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/166195/ceo-thoughts-june-2026/ Here are a few thoughts to challenge your thinking and to keep you aware of issues that may impact your company.Simplifying Local GovernmentAs much as local and central government politicians debate council boundaries, some truisms dictate the shape of countries and will ultimately dictate our local government regions.Geography remains the fundamental factor in shaping the political, economic, and strategic choices of nations. It offers a compelling lens to view international and national affair... Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:41:49 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post166195 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/165831/fuel-market-update-for-waikato-businesses-supply-remains-secure-but-global-price-volatility-continues/ New Zealand’s fuel supply position remains sound, but international fuel markets are still being shaped by disruption, uncertainty and fast-moving geopolitical developments around the Strait of Hormuz.For Waikato businesses and households, the key message is this: fuel remains available, local supply chains are working, and New Zealand is well stocked. The challenge is not physical access to fuel in New Zealand. The challenge is the international replacement cost of the next cargoes coming int... Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:55:12 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post165831 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/165050/celebrating-member-award-successes/ Congratulations to our Waikato Chamber members recognised recently at regional, national and international awards ceremonies. From hospitality and tourism, to construction, technology and innovation, it’s fantastic to see local businesses and individuals being celebrated for their excellence, creativity and leadership.These achievements highlight the incredible depth of talent, innovation and ambition within the Waikato business community. Congratulations to all award recipients and finalists.... Fri, 22 May 2026 14:00:00 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post165050 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/164898/fuel-market-update-for-waikato-businesses-supply-is-secure-but-costs-are-higher/ New Zealand continues to be well supplied with fuel, but international fuel prices remain high because global markets are still paying a premium to keep crude oil and refined products moving while the Strait of Hormuz remains materially constrained.For Waikato businesses and families, the message is simple: fuel supply remains secure, but the cost of securing that supply has risen.We know that is hard. Fuel is not just another line on a spreadsheet in the Waikato. It is the cost of getting milk ... Wed, 20 May 2026 13:42:01 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post164898 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/164517/may-ceo-thoughts/ The year is going fast, and the world is far more complex and uncertain than it was in February.Here are a few thoughts to challenge your thinking, and to keep you aware of issues that may impact your company.In This IssueExport for NZ to winSimplifying Local Government because savings have to be madeOilElection year and the 2026 BudgetProductivity. Export for NZ to winWe need to export to survive. The success of our agricultural and tech industries over recent months and years has highlighted j... Wed, 13 May 2026 13:38:51 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post164517