New Zealand Mayors and Business Leaders vow to save Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter from closing down

Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters is determined to continue fighting for the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. He said in a meeting on Thursday morning, “I began saying this in 2011 and I’m saying it now stronger than ever that this enterprise has got to be saved.”

He has been supporting the idea of a Tiwai worker/management buy-out for almost last 10 year. In 2011, he told the Tiwai workers ‘you guys are going to have to shape up and save yourselves, because you are being taken for a ride by the owners,’ upon his visit to the smelter.

But the union delegate and Tiwai staff member Cliff Dobbie said there was no chance of a management or worker buyout. He said the concept had not been brought up with staff and wouldn't be economically viable.

The meeting is being attended by Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Regional Economic Minister Shane Jones, and Energy Minister Megan Woods.

Expressing the keenness to save the smelter, Tim Shadbolt, upon asking his expectation from the Prime Minister in regards to the smelter, replied that he looks forward to the Government’s support. “Whatever road we may take they will be right behind us,” said Shadbolt.

He also said there might be a slither of a chance that the smelter might be saved.

Last week, Rio Tinto announced its decision to wind-down the smelter, which would result in the direct loss of 1000 jobs and 1600 jobs indirectly connected to the smelter.

The text which was sent to staff read: “NZAS MESSAGE: Rio Tinto has confirmed that following the conclusion of the strategic review it will start planning for the wind-down of operations and the eventual closure of NZAS. NZAS has given notice to terminate its power contract with Meridian Energy. Crew briefings are scheduled to share more info. We know this is a stressful time. Keeping yourself and your crewmates safe is the biggest priority."

However, mayor and business leaders have signalled that they will fight the closure.

Invercargill’s deputy mayor Toni Biddle, also ahead of the meeting this morning, said she hoped the Government would listen to their concerns.

She wants to tell the Government that if there is a window of opportunity to keep Tiwai open then that should be discussed.

Invercargill businesswoman Carla Forbes, on the other hand, has created signs depicting headstones for the Southland economy, and on Wednesday, created a graveyard along Airport Ave, Invercargill, as a message to the Government.

At least 18 headstones have been created, one for the 2600 jobs loss and another saying “R.I.P. Southland’s prosperity”.