Confirmed – Winstone Pulp closing central North Island mills

Hundreds are set to lose their jobs after one of the central North Island’s biggest employers made the call to shut two of its mills. Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton has confirmed Winstone Pulp International will be closing its two central North Island mills due to unsustainable energy prices.

For the past few weeks Winstone had been meeting with energy company Mercury and government ministers to try and find a way to keep the Karioi and Tangiwai mills open. Around 230 jobs will be lost.

A petition was launched last week to save the mill, fearing nearby communities would turn into ghost towns, Winstone being the main employer in the area.

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Source: RNZ

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Rangitīkei District Council shares its disappointment

The closures are the result of unsustainable energy prices and will result in the loss of over 200 permanent jobs, including many from the Rangitīkei District.

A strong advocate for a collective solution to prevent the closures, Mayor Andy Watson said he is disappointed and concerned by the lack of support from central Government.

“These closures are the result of a systemic energy problem felt by industry providers across our country. If Government do not prioritise supporting businesses that sustain our local economy, our communities will continue to suffer.

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Source: Rangitikei District Council

NZCTU Slams Govt For Failing Mill Workers

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is slamming the Government for failing to bring a plan to the table to save around 300 jobs in the Ruapehu district, following the decision of Winstone Pulp International to close the Karioi pulp mill and the Tangiwai sawmill.

“Our hearts go out to all the workers who have lost their jobs, and we stand in solidarity with them at this terribly difficult time,” said NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff. “The Government had the power to keep the mill alive by creating a plan for power price stability, but they failed to deliver.

“This decision will be devastating for the Ruapehu district who were already dealing with high unemployment and a lack of opportunities. This is the last thing they need. Government has a responsibility to keep rural communities alive by supporting regional economic development and stepping in to show leadership when critical industries are struggling. Writing off whole communities is simply unacceptable.

“Local manufacturing plays an important role in our regional economies and that needs to be protected into the future. It is the role of Government to guarantee this by implementing employment, regional development and Just Transition strategies that prioritise job creation and protection in rural communities.

“Everyone deserves good work that is secure and pays well, regardless of where they live. This decision shows we have a long way to go to make that a reality,” said Wagstaff.

Source: NZCTU

Image credit: WPI