http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.waikatochamber.co.nz en-us Sat, 16 May 2026 22:35:01 +1200 Rocketspark 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 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/164396/fuel-markets-shift-from-supply-crisis-to-volatility-challenge/ Over the past two months, global fuel markets have experienced one of the most volatile periods seen in years, driven largely by disruption around the Strait of Hormuz — the route that normally carries around 20% of global oil flows.For New Zealand businesses, the important point is this: fuel supply itself has remained secure, but fuel pricing has not.The challenge for businesses across freight, agriculture, construction, contracting and distribution has been the speed and magnitude of wholes... Fri, 08 May 2026 14:56:12 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post164396 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/163887/fuel-markets-in-2026-volatility-adaptation-and-what-comes-next/ Fuel markets have experienced one of the most volatile periods in recent history over the past six weeks, driven by disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, a route that typically carries around 20% of global oil flows. For Waikato businesses, the key takeaway is straightforward: New Zealand has remained well supplied throughout, but the cost of fuel has been highly reactive to global geopolitical events.At the peak of the disruption, refined fuel markets, particularly diesel, became severely co... Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post163887 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/163045/april-ceo-thoughts/ Waikato leads economic bounce-back – ANZ data showsAfter a concerted campaign by economists and journalists to outdo each other with the headlines of doom, gloom and Armageddon we get some data that reflects what we have been seeing when talking to businesses, their accountants and suppliers. The ANZ Regional Spotlight report prepared by Dot Loves Data in partnership with ANZ, provides a comprehensive overview of Waikato’s economic trajectory, along with its key challenges and emerging ... Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:32:25 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post163045 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/161387/march-ceo-thoughts/ Unify the WaikatoLocal government is under the spotlight. Many councils are under pressure for poor performance.Given the recent damning reports on the Wellington and Hamilton City councils, the spotlight needs to intensify and make transparent all the allegations levelled by the reviews.Council squad tasked with finding answers to buried report | Waikato Times‘Poorly controlled’ and risky: Wellington City Council’s contract chaos | The Post It is hard to believe that local council bu... Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:49:54 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post161387 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/160184/welcome-to-the-chamber-michael-thomas/ Welcome to the team! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?I am the husband of Victoria (19 years) and we have 2 children; Te Aohinga (17) and Jacob (15). I was elected to the South Waikato District Council and I have been elected as the presiding member of the Tokoroa High School. I like to spend time with my Whanau and enjoy the outdoors, walking and camping. I also enjoy renovating my house.Tell us about your work history.I grew up in the family bakery in Porirua, doing an apprenticeshi... Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:30:31 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post160184 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/159828/ceo-thoughts-february-2026/ In This IssueA Rare GiftUnify the WaikatoTe Huia Patronage Fails in 2025 - Is it Terminal this Time?Economic Prediction Making and OptimismA Rare GiftIn times of crisis, communities pull together. Our coastal communities have had a blasting from rain, slips and lives lost. For most of us in the Waikato who are unaffected directly by the events there is little we can do while others grieve and struggle. What we can do is support by spending. Get to the Coromandel, Waihi Beach, Port Waik... Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:54:54 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post159828 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/158204/december-ceo-thoughts/ It is Time to Unify the WaikatoJust two thoughts for you this month, inspired by the Government’s announcement last week called “Simplifying Local Government – a draft proposal”.In the three decades since the last shakeup in 1989 some councillors have driven division and demarcation, masquerading as independence.It is time for vision to turn into action:To unite the WaikatoTo rub out the artificial council barriersTo eliminate the pencil lines on a map that cost ratepayers millionsT... Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:33:23 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post158204 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/158176/2025-waikato-business-awards-emerging-leader-of-the-year/ ... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:45:47 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post158176 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/post/158175/2025-waikato-business-awards-ceo-of-the-year/ Fiona Michel, chief executive of Braemar Hospital, has been named Waikato's CEO of the Year for 2025 – a recognition that crowns her as one of the region’s most progressive and values-driven health leaders.Fiona’s leadership is guided by what she calls her “Shining Eyes” philosophy, a mindset shaped through years of seeking purpose and meaning at work. “I know I’ve done a great job when someone just sparks. The moment when they say, ‘I can do that, I can lead that, I can make tha... Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:37:28 +1300 http://www.waikatochamber.co.nz/blog/#post158175