Hawke’s Bay Business Hub COVID-19 and drought response

Hawke’s Bay Business Hub and partners are taking the following initial measures to support the Hawke’s Bay business community during the COVID-19 pandemic and drought response.

• We’re taking a proactive, collaborative approach with a collective regional response via all Hawke’s Bay Business Hub members - Business Hawke’s Bay, Regional Business Partners, Business Mentors, Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce, Business Central, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Export New Zealand, The Icehouse, Callaghan Innovation, the economic development departments of all Hawke’s Bay councils, NZ Food Innovation Network, Matariki Regional Development Strategy programme management - and partners Hawke’s Bay Tourism, Te Kāhui Ōhanga o Takitimu, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Group Recovery Manager and the Provincial Development Unit.
• As a group we are monitoring the situation closely, with all member agencies of the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub meeting every morning, and on hand during the day to respond to developments. We have a dedicated response room set up.
• The Hawke’s Bay Business Hub team is committed to doing all it can to support business, providing the right information at the right time, with a hub and spoke model, connecting our business community across the region; in person and online.

Regional business support

• There is a regional COVID-19 business support section on the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub website www.hbbusinesshub.nz that is Hawke’s Bay focussed, with local tools, support, resources and links to official sites.
• The Government has provided $4 million of additional funding nationally. This will augment Regional Business Partners services at the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub initially through to 30 June. The purpose of the funding is to provide practical advice out to businesses on a larger scale, while also collecting feedback on the issues and impacts that businesses are facing to ensure that support remains relevant and to build a regional picture of economic impact. This is an initial response to get relevant and practical information, support and advice to businesses.
  • This will see Hawke’s Bay Regional Business Partners offer additional advisory services through its business growth advisors, via a number of channels including 1:1 advice, information sessions and workshops, some of which will be online/virtual.
  • More information will be made available as these sessions are confirmed.
  • To get in touch with Hawke’s Bay Regional Business Partners www.regionalbusinesspartners.co.nz
• We encourage businesses to keep in touch and share practical tips and information on how they’re dealing with COVID-19, so that we can continue to develop a regionalised online resource.
• There is also a section for drought related business support information, as we acknowledge that this is a serious issue facing the region and its people.
• There is an email address for businesses needing drought and COVID-19 support: support@hbbusinesshub.nz and people can contact the Hawke’s Bay Business Hub on 06 650 1711.

Support for exporters

• New Zealand Trade and Enterprise has announced a $4 million Export Business Continuity Service, in partnership with PwC and Deloitte, focussed on its export customers. The service will provide access to 1:1 professional services to help manage the impacts of COVID-19, including business continuity planning, scenario planning, business remodelling, supply chain readjustment etc.
  • The service is for New Zealand businesses who have established export markets, and will be delivered through a voucher to a maximum value of $5,000 per business. 

• We strongly encourage businesses to take appropriate precautions, keep up to date with the latest information at www.covid19.govt.nz, check in regularly at www.hbbusinesshub.nz and look after their teams and customers. Protecting people’s health must come first.
• People need to follow the Ministry of Health’s advice which is currently; regular handwashing with soap and water, staying away from work and others if you are sick, following basic cough or sneeze etiquette into the elbow, staying away from crowds and if  unwell to call Healthline 0800 358 5453 or visit  www.health.govt.nz/covid-19
• We will update our advice and support to the business community as events unfold.

20 March 2020

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