Business

Final decision on Winstone mill closures expected on Tuesday

09:52 am on 9 September 2024

Photo: Alexa Cook/RNZ

The final decision on whether a Central North Island forestry products mill will close down has been pushed out to Tuesday.

Winstone Pulp International is proposing to close its two mills indefinitely due to high wholesale power prices, and a final decision was expected on Monday.

However, Winstone chief executive Mike Ryan told RNZ that has changed.

"Winstone Pulp International has extended the timeframe for a decision on its future until the afternoon of Tuesday 10 September," he said.

Mayors, forestry companies and ministers have met several times over the past few weeks in a bid to find a solution that would prevent the loss of 230 jobs.

Some locals have not stuck around for the final decision and have already left to work in Australia, but many are anxiously awaiting this week's meeting and have launched a campaign to try and save the mill.