Business Whanganui - Chamber of Commerce

16/06/2026

Meet Kristine from Simply Style, a valued member of the Business Whanganui community, who takes time out from running her style consultancy business each month to lead our Book Club.

Book Club is on tomorrow at 10am at the Chamber, and this month we're holding an Open Exchange Session — a relaxed but purposeful opportunity to share a book, article, podcast, idea or insight that has challenged, inspired or sparked something for you.

Our Business Book Club was the brainchild of Elinor McDouall, who led the group in its first year. Book Club has become a great example of business community in action. It's a space where members learn from one another, exchange ideas, and provide informal peer mentoring through shared experiences and perspectives.

Whether you're halfway through a business book, listening to an interesting podcast, or exploring a new idea in your business, we'd love to have you join the conversation.

Complimentary for Business Whanganui members. Find out more on our website www.businesswhanganui.nz

16/06/2026

Funded training opportunity for Whanganui businesspeople. Head to our website www.businesswhanganui.nz to find out more about this valuable opportunity to take yourself, your people and your business to a whole new level. Book in one or more of your team now.

Free short courses for Whanganui business leaders - next date 23 June

Business Whanganui, the city’s Chamber of Commerce, is running a series of quick start workshops – free two-hour short-courses – in conjunction with UCOL Whanganui and Double Farley over the next six months.

The Practical Workforce Series is part of a nationwide programme connecting employers with practical tools, support, and pathways to help businesses build stronger teams and workplaces.

Presenter Melita Farley, of Double Farley, has a background in psychology, learning and leadership, plus credentials in the neuroscience of change as well as Lego Serious Play, a facilitation methodology developed by the Lego Group to improve creative thinking and communication. Whanganui-based Melita aims to make the lessons and learnings stick in the mind and be fun at the same time.

Participants have the option of attending in person on the day (all the courses are held on a Tuesday) or two days later online.

The first of the courses, ‘Setting goals that actually work’ was held last month at UCOL Whanganui, as well as online, and Melita reports good attendance and engagement.

The second on June 23, is called ‘The Why Factor’. This will cover how to tap into and communicate powerful reasons for change that drive genuine engagement, action, and transformation.

Courses will continue every month until October. For full details and to register to attend, visit the Business Whanganui website events page, or register for them all at https://businesswhanganui.nz/event/pws-all/

09/06/2026

Fixed term opportunity here in Whanganui for a financial administrator with a vital Whanganui company.

NEW ▪︎ FINANCIAL ▪︎ ADMIN ▪︎ ROLE
◇ Air Whanganui | Airport Road
◇ 25 hrs p/w | flexible across 4 or 5 days
◇ 6 months fixed-term

✈️ Air Whanganui has built a strong national reputation for its "Care in the Air" approach, delivering private charter services, air ambulance, and patient transfer across New Zealand. Operating 24/7 and supporting over 1,500 patient transfers annually, the team works alongside highly skilled medical professionals to deliver vital, life-changing outcomes every day.

We're now seeking an experienced Financial Administrator to join the team.

Key tasks include:
🔸 Accounts Payable (oversight of AR) via Xero
🔹 Monthly financial reporting
🔸 Budget variance analysis
🔹 General ledger reconciliations
🔸 Payroll and IRD reporting
🔹 Ministry of Health data management
🔸 General finance and administration support

You'll ideally have:
✅ Xero experience
✅ Strong Microsoft Office and Excel skills
✅ High attention to detail
✅ Ability to handle confidential data
✅ Minimum of 2-3 years in a similar role

If you're organised, accurate and enjoy variety, you'll thrive in this dynamic environment with a great bunch of people!

📝 To review the brief, please email [email protected]

27/05/2026

Thanks to Daniel, Heather and Rebecca from Yorb and the AI curious and forward thinking Whanganui businesses that joined us today for the first AI Peer Group gathering.

AI is already shaping how work gets done. The question for business is how to use it in a way that makes sense for your organisation, your people, and your future direction.

Today’s session was about setting the foundation for the group together — shaping the focus, priorities, and format, then establishing a rhythm that works for the businesses involved.

The discussion covered:
• where AI is already showing up in business operations
• turning opportunity into practical action
• governance, risk, and data considerations
• learning alongside others facing similar decisions
• what responsible and useful adoption looks like in practice

This group is designed for business owners, leaders, and managers who want practical discussion, shared learning, peer support, and accountability — not a presentation series or “AI hype” session.

A strong starting point with good conversation, good questions, and openness around both opportunities and challenges.

Looking forward to reconnecting in three months to hear what progress businesses have made, share experiences, set new goals, and continue building practical capability together.

We are taking EOIs for another cohort. Email us to register your interest [email protected]

19/05/2026

Opportunity available - in a world riddled with uncertainty, Whanganui is an amazing place to be.

Join our team at McDonald Concrete Group as an experienced forklift operator! We value attention to detail, reliability, and good common sense. OSH and F endorsements are a must. Apply now through Trade Me and become part of a dedicated team! https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/jobs/transport-logistics/warehouse-distribution/manawatu-whanganui/whanganui/full-time/listing/5942618595

19/05/2026

Another excellent opportunity for someone wanting to live work and play in Whanganui - the little city of cool 😎

NZ Structural & Engineering LTD was established late 2021 and we have become a well-established engineering business in Whanganui. We cover a wide range of e...

19/05/2026

The Practical Workforce workshop series kicked off this afternoon with Setting Goals that Work. Developed and presented by Melita from Double Farley this is a series of 6 workshops over 6 months that help businesses translate learning and good ideas into action and culture change. Thanks to everyone that joined us for this session. Excellent Practical support for Whanganui businesses. Check out the remaining workshops on our website www.businesswhanganui.nz and if you missed today, no sweat, the content will be repeated on Thursday this week via webinar. Head to our website to find out more and book.
Thanks to ChamberWorks for supporting this initiative so we can do business better.

18/05/2026

Our Practical Workforce workshop series kicks off today with the first of 6 workshops - this one on goal setting - and more importantly goal getting, because let's face it we've all set goals which have gone nowhere. No charge to attend for Whanganui businesspeople. More on our website www.businesswhanganui.nz

13/05/2026

A great cause and a good night out - support by getting along, buying a ticket, or contributing to the auction if you can.

Tickets are on sale, weather is getting colder and we are getting so excited for our Midwinter Christmas Fundraiser

Just wanna do a quick shout out to all the companies who have supported us by donating a voucher or item so far!

ATR Automotive Servicing & Repairs
Trident Homes Whanganui
GAS Petrol Service Stations
Nothing Naughty
High-Kut Bistro
Delivereasy
Butlers Reef
Embassy 3 Wanganui
and Queen Hotel, New Plymouth
Waterfront Apartments

Many local businesses as well as businesses out of town which is awesome! As you can see we are going to have some amazing auction packs on the night, you don’t want to miss out!

Keen to donate? Get in touch! @whatever.org.nz or ph 063489935

27/11/2025

Thanks to Mark and Maddy for hosting Business After 5 at the J Thain Foundry co-working space last night, and to Ron for looking after everyone with such care.

Set right on the riverfront, this is a thoughtfully developed space with a clear purpose. Mark and Maddy shared their journey and their vision for creating an environment that supports both focused work and connection within our professional community.

It was a timely reminder that while working independently has its advantages, it’s easy to miss the value that comes from connecting with others - new perspectives, shared experiences and unexpected opportunities.

Thanks to those who joined us, it was good to take time out, catch up, and connect.

If you’d like to explore the space or learn more about what they offer, have a chat with Maddy. More on their website: https://www.jthainfoundry.co.nz/