Whakatāne mill to close, but MP Kiri Allan still hopeful
17 Mar, 2021 07:00 PM
6 minutes to read
About 210 Whakatāne people could be jobless by June after news Whakatāne Mill will close.
But a union advocate and local MP still have hope jobs could be saved if the mill is repurposed. Management at Whakatāne Mill Limited broke the news of the closure to just over 210 staff on Tuesday.
It follows unsuccessful attempts to sell the mill, which is Whakatane s largest private employer and has, for more than 80 years, produced paper and packaging products, mostly for export.
At this stage, the company plans to stop production on June 21 and then begin decommissioning the plant. The expected final closure date is June 30.
Whakatāne mill to close, but MP Kiri Allan still hopeful nzherald.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nzherald.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Whakatāne Mill closure looms, workers face job losses
24 Feb, 2021 05:00 AM
9 minutes to read
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is continuing her tour of the Bay of Plenty.
Rotorua Daily Post
A looming closure of the Whakatāne Mill is being described as a devastating blow as residents now worry about the futures of the 210 workers facing job losses. The Swiss owners of the mill which, for 80 years, has been the backbone of jobs for locals, have proposed to close the site this year.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Whakatāne Mill while campaigning in Whakatāne last year. Photo / File