This morning, 230 workers were made redundant at the Kinleith Paper Mill near Tokoroa, as the owners decided to shut down paper production.
In November, the mill’s owners, Oji Fibre Solutions, announced plans to discontinue paper operations due to financial losses, prompting community hui, which local and central government politicians attended.
Maria Huata, Hamilton City Councillor for the Kirikiriroa Māori Ward, says the Kinleith Mill job losses are a huge blow for workers, their whānau, and the Tokoroa community.
This will affect generations of whānau who have been born and raised in Tokoroa and who know only of the mill’s existence.
She urges whānau to stay strong, as there’s always a way forward.
Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones says he’s open to working with the owners to make more resilient site jobs and explore future development options.
