Tokoroa meeting brings Winston Peters, MPs and Kinleith Mill workers together

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was in Tokoroa on Monday to discuss the plight of Kinleith Mill workers. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has told embattled employees at New Zealand’s largest paper mill that he would advocate on their behalf, at a community meeting in Tokoroa this week.

The news comes as Kinleith Mill owners Oji Fibre Solutions have agreed to extend the consultation period on a proposal to cut paper production at the mill in June 2025, putting about 230 jobs at risk.

Community advocates launched the “Save Our Jobs! Save Our Mill!” campaign in response to the proposal, inviting Peters and other politicians to a meeting at South Waikato Sports and Events Centre on Monday night.

At the meeting, Peters told the estimated 400 attendees that Kinleith Mill was the “lifeblood” of Waikato.

“Mills are closing rapidly in New Zealand and if there is not the right reaction from central government then there are many more closures to come,” Peters said.

Peters said it was “unbelievable” to think of importing the cardboard boxes to pack kiwifruit, a situation he said could happen if the mill stopped producing paper.

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters in Tokoroa. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Peters cited “out of control” energy prices as being part of the problem.

“Targeted government intervention is sometimes necessary to ensure the survival of a business and a community, for the country’s long-term economy and productivity as well as the future of local jobs.”

Peters said he would be speaking to the mill’s Japanese owners over the next few days.

“In the next few weeks, we’ll be talking to all manner of people.”

Peter said he and Minister for Regional Development Shane Jones were at the meeting “to listen”.

“We are here to do everything our party can to advocate for you,” Peters said.

“I don’t personally think it’s hopeless. There is a chance for a real solution.”

MPs from every major political party were in attendance at a community meeting to discuss the fate of Kinleith Mill on Monday. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Monday’s meeting was also attended by Taupō MP Louise Upston, Te Tai Hauāuru MP Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Green Party MPs Tamatha Paul, Chlöe Swarbrick and Steve Abel and Labour Party MPs Camilla Belich and Glen Bennett.

Representatives of Oji Fibre Solutions were also present as mill workers addressed the meeting about their concerns for the future of Tokoroa if the job cuts went ahead.

Kinleith Mill employee Kyle Pourau said if the current proposal went ahead, he, his father and his sister would all be out of a job.

“It’s a bit of a family business,” Pourau said.

“We are the last paper mill in the country. We don’t want our jobs going overseas.

“We want stable jobs, stable work and long-term futures.”

Pourau thanked the politicians present at the meeting for “giving a f***”.

“It was pretty positive,” Pourau told the Herald after the meeting.

“I think we made the politicians see who this community is. That’s what we wanted.

“The dream is that the mill keeps going and it keeps going for a long time. That’s the best outcome.”

Kinleith Mill employee Kyle Pourau. Photo / Maryana Garcia

Eight-year Kinleith Mill employee Denzel Robb said he thought politicians’ response to what he and other workers had to say was “good”.

“I think [Peters] gets it. I’m just hoping they can make moves.”

Robb told the Herald things were “a little dark” at the moment but the mill workers and the wider Tokoroa community were “there for each other”.

“I’m really proud of the guys still turning up to work doing their jobs to the best of their ability.”

E tū union negotiation specialist Joe Gallagher said no stone would be left unturned in the search for a solution.

“These are tough times. We’ve had a pretty tough day today. We’ve pushed the consultation period back. The decision will be made on February 4.”

Gallagher said what he had heard did not fill him with confidence.

“Currently it’s our belief that their proposal is marginal at best. [But] if they are genuine in their consultation they will take us seriously.”

About 400 Tokoroa community members attended a public meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and other MPs to discuss Kinleith Mill. Photo / Maryana Garcia

South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley said he had not expected MPs to turn up to the meeting in such numbers.

“That in itself is a plus. They are representing all of the main parties.”

Petley said the MPs had shown an awareness of the circumstances of the region and an understanding of Tokoroa’s situation.

Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times.