Rotorua Business Chamber

18/06/2026

🎉 NOMINATE & WIN! YOU COULD FLY AWAY WITH $250 ✈️

Know a Rotorua business or business-person who deserves recognition?

Nominate them for the 2026 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards and, if they go on to submit an entry, you'll go in the draw to WIN a $250 Air New Zealand voucher! ✈️

Already nominated a business or individual who has since entered the Awards? Good news - you're automatically in the draw too.

Whether it's a business achieving great things, an inspiring leader, or someone making a real difference in our community, now is the perfect time to put them forward.

🏆 Nominations are free
🏆 You don't need to be a Chamber member
🏆 Anyone can nominate
🏆 One lucky nominator will win a $250 Air New Zealand voucher

Nominate today and help celebrate Rotorua's business success stories. https://www.rotoruabusinessawards.co.nz/enter-or-nominate/

⏰ ENTRIES CLOSE 5 JULY

18/06/2026

The Chamber team is feeling incredibly grateful to have been invited on a behind the scenes tour of the Rotorua Museum redevelopment.

Hard hats on and high-vis vests donned, we explored the main rooms, ventured into the basement, and even made our way onto the roof. That view! 🤩

The scale of planning, craftsmanship, innovation, and attention to detail throughout this project is truly mind-blowing. We came away feeling excited about what this will mean for Rotorua, Aotearoa, and the many manuhiri who will experience this incredible taonga for generations to come.

A huge thank you to Alex Wilson for the invitation, and to Stewart Brown for delivering one of the most informative and fascinating tours imaginable. His knowledge of the building, its history, and its restoration journey is remarkable.

The fact that a project of this complexity is tracking on time and under budget is a testament to the many talented people working behind the scenes to bring it to life.

Congratulations to Rotorua Lakes Council and everyone involved. It's hard to imagine now that this iconic building was once at risk of being left to deteriorate. What is being created here will be a tremendous asset for our region, helping to tell Rotorua's stories, celebrate our heritage, and inspire future generations.

We can't wait to see the doors open!

12/06/2026

A full house today for our Westpac Smarts Business Luncheon.

A huge thank you to our sponsor Westpac NZ, to Rotorua NZ and to Paul Conway from the Reserve Bank of NZ for providing a timely update on New Zealand's economic outlook.

The April Business Pulse Survey results presented by Justin Kimberley highlighted the challenges many local businesses are facing, with confidence levels at their lowest point since the survey began. Rising energy costs, fuel price pressures, geopolitical uncertainty, and squeezed margins are weighing heavily on businesses. At the same time, Rotorua businesses continue to show remarkable resilience, with strong optimism around tourism, events, economic development, and the rapid adoption of AI technologies.

Paul Conway shared the Reserve Bank's latest economic outlook, outlining how the Middle East conflict and higher oil prices are impacting inflation and economic growth. While inflation is expected to rise in the short term, the Reserve Bank expects it to return to its target range during 2027. The Official Cash Rate remains at 2.25%, although future increases remain possible depending on how inflation and economic conditions evolve.

A quote from Paul that we're sure resonated with many in the room: "Opportunity comes out of adversity and the best way to forecast the future is to create it."

Thank you to everyone who joined us today, and to Millennium Hotel Rotorua for providing an excellent venue and highly professional service.

10/06/2026

A huge thank you to our host, Local Gecko Productions, for welcoming students and job seekers to our latest Career Pathway Event focused on the Creative Industries.

Attendees had the opportunity to explore Local Gecko's production studio and podcast facilities, while connecting with a diverse range of local creative businesses and organisations to learn about career pathways, industry opportunities, and the skills needed to succeed.

A big thank you to: Digital Natives Academy, Speedy Signs, Local Gecko Productions, Lee Brothers Cabinets and Joinery, Dubzz Digital Marketing, Rotorua Library, Toi Ohomai, Mountain Jade, 7D Architecture Ltd, BOP Blues Club Inc, Jaid Beauty, and Redspot

And thank you to Citron Cafe for providing delicious catering for our exhibitors.

These events are all about helping young people and job seekers discover the exciting career opportunities available right here in Rotorua while connecting local talent with local industry.

This event was delivered by the Rotorua Business Chamber in partnership with Toi Ohomai and Local Gecko Productions.

10/06/2026

Stop Guessing. Start Growing.

Want to attract more customers, improve your online visibility, and get better results from your marketing?

Our six-part Master Your Marketing series is designed for business owners and teams who want practical, actionable marketing skills they can apply immediately.

Led by experienced marketing professionals Rachael McGarvie and David Remmerswaal, you'll learn how to build a clear marketing strategy, improve search visibility, create engaging content, grow your audience through email marketing, run effective Meta and Google Ads, and measure what’s working.

✔ Register for one session, several sessions, or the full series
✔ Practical, hands-on learning with real-world examples
✔ Suitable for businesses of all sizes and stages
✔ Potential co-funding available through the Regional Business Partner Programme

Whether you're looking to strengthen your marketing foundations or take your results to the next level, there's a session for you.

📅 Starts 1 July
🕘 9.00am–12.00pm
☕ Morning tea provided

Places are limited and registration is essential.
https://www.rotoruachamber.co.nz/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=5875968

A practical six-session programme to build marketing confidence, capability, and clear direction to drive leads, convert sales and grow customer loyalty....

09/06/2026

Change is inevitable. Being prepared is a choice.

Join this free, practical workshop designed to help business owners and leaders navigate change with confidence, identify opportunities, manage risks, and build a more resilient business.

✅ Practical tools and strategies
✅ Expert facilitator
✅ Interactive 3-hour workshop
✅ Free to attend

📅 Tuesday 30 June
⏰ 9.00am–12.00pm
📍 Location TBA

Places are limited to just 10 participants, so register early to secure your spot.

Free workshop for NZ business owners! Limited places available....

07/06/2026

🏆 Thinking about entering the 2026 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards?

Not sure which category is right for your business? Wondering what judges are looking for? Looking for tips to make the entry process easier?

Join one of our free online Entry Info Sessions and get the answers you need.

These relaxed and informal 30-minute sessions will walk you through the awards programme, key dates, categories, and entry process, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions along the way.

Whether you're entering for the first time or returning for another year, we're here to help make the process as straightforward as possible.

📅 Monday 15 June | 12.00pm – 12.30pm
📅 Tuesday 23 June | 12.00pm – 12.30pm

Don't forget - you do not need to be nominated to enter the awards, and People's Choice nominations are now open.

Entries close Sunday 5 July 2026.

Register here: https://www.rotoruachamber.co.nz/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page_id=6103789

Thinking about entering the 2026 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards but not sure where to start?...

07/06/2026

🏆The 2026 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards are open for entries and nominations.

Whether you're ready to showcase your business achievements or want to recognise a business making a positive impact in our community, now is the time to get involved.

⭐ People's Choice nominations are also open. Know a local business that deserves recognition? Submit a nomination and help celebrate the businesses making a difference in Rotorua.

You do not need to be nominated to enter the awards. Businesses can enter directly, and the online entry process is straightforward and designed to make participation as easy as possible.

📅 Entries close Sunday 5 July 2026.

Enter or nominate today:

The 2026 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards has officially launched, marking the beginning of the 35th anniversary year of Rotorua’s premier business celebration.

05/06/2026

📊 Interest rates are falling. Inflation is easing. But what does the latest economic outlook mean for your business?

Join us on Friday 12 June for the next Westpac Smarts Business Luncheon and hear directly from Paul Conway, Chief Economist and Monetary Policy Committee member at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Paul will share the Reserve Bank’s latest assessment of the economy, including:
✔ Inflation and interest rate outlook
✔ Economic growth forecasts
✔ Insights from the May Monetary Policy Statement
✔ Potential impacts of ongoing Middle East conflict on New Zealand’s economy

You'll also receive the latest Rotorua Business Pulse Survey results, providing a snapshot of business confidence and economic conditions right here in our region.

Whether you're planning for growth, managing costs, or looking ahead to the next 12 months, this session will provide valuable insights to help inform your decisions.

🍽 Buffet lunch and dessert included.

🎟 Book now:

Join the Rotorua business community for the next Westpac Smarts Business Luncheon on Friday 12 June...