Source: Workers First Union
Around sixty jobs will be lost as Northland Mill has confirmed its closure, becoming the seventh wood processing facility to close under this term of Government, Workers First Union said today.
Marcus Coverdale, Workers First organiser, said that Juken New Zealand’s Northland Mill workers were called to meetings yesterday where the outcome of a consultation period was confirmed, with the mill to close by 21 August 2026.
“Many of the workers were expecting this outcome, but there’s a feeling of abandonment and disbelief that a solution could not be found to save the mill,” said Mr Coverdale.
“Last week, they processed the last of the logs at Northland Mill. The machines have stopped and as the dust settles, the workers will be gone by the end of the month.”
“There was every opportunity for the Government to step in and facilitate the sale, run the mill as a temporary measure, or just guarantee the operations until a buyer is found. None was taken.”
“Shane Jones and the Coalition Government have turned their backs on these workers and offered excuses not to intervene, and the Northland region will pay for it.”
“We’ll be supporting our members through these next steps and ensuring that Juken lives up to their promises of support and care through the redundancy process.”
Workers at the mill will attend individual consultations over the next week, where the company will offer support services before issuing letters of redundancy. Existing Collective Agreement provisions negotiated by union members will ensure workers receive redundancy payments even if seeking alternative employment. A small number of people may also be able to be redeployed to the neighbouring Triboard Mill.
Meanwhile, the union understands that negotiations over a buyer for the Triboard Mill continue, but there is not yet any certainty over its continued operation. Over 140 people work at the Triboard Mill, which produces a specialised composite wood product that is used in building and housing materials.
“Triboard workers are mostly just worried about their colleagues down the road right now, but there is a lot of anxiety about what comes next for them too,” said Mr Coverdale.
“The Northland region can’t afford to lose any more jobs or industry. Kaitāia is struggling, our manufacturing sector is struggling, and over 800 jobs have now been lost in this industry since this Government came to power.”