Urgent Planning Needed for Job Losses from Kawerau Mill – Te Ururoa Flavell

• Tweet
• Pin It

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell is calling for a concerted effort from businesses, local and central government to come together and consider options for affected Kawerau mill-workers, after this morning’s announcement that Norske Skog will be closing one of its newsprint machines at the mill, cutting its production in half.

“With close to 300 workers at the pulp and paper mill the job losses will have a significant impact on this community” said Mr Flavell.

“Today’s announcement is typical of small town recessionary impacts having big consequences. The newsprint machine closure is one of the ironic consequences of technology transfer –it was no doubt inevitable but we should not leave this community bearing the brunt alone”.

“While we welcome the consultation process with affected employees, we hope that there will be a solid focus on options for further training and employment”.

“We need to take a comprehensive approach towards long term planning to turn this situation around”.

“Kawerau has just celebrated the return of its Silver Medal Olympian, Sarah Walker, whose years of hard work and dedication paid off on the BMX circuit in London at the greatest sporting event in the world”.

“We need to apply the same successful formula to this new situation – taking a long term approach to achieve sustainable economic prowess and full employment”.

Kym Maxwell
Kaiawhina Matua mo Te Ururoa Flavell | Executive Assistant to Te Ururoa Flavell
Room no: 7:12 | Bowen House | Parliament Buildings | Wellington | NZ |
DDI +64 4 817 6953| Fax + 64 4 499 7269| Mobile + 64 21798103
www.waiariki.maori.nz