What we can say, and what we cannot
Stats NZ figures reported in March 2026 showed about 10,000 fewer people in manufacturing than two years earlier. Employers in the sector commonly cite energy costs and competition from imports. For example, Winstone Pulp and Carter Holt Harvey gave energy prices and import costs as reasons for 2024 and 2025 closures (see the forestry guide). Specific sites:
- Tiwai Point (Bluff, Southland): the aluminium smelter has been Southland's largest employer. After repeated uncertainty, long-term power contracts were reported in 2024. We did not find any confirmed 2026 job cuts, so check current news and your union.
- New Zealand Steel (Glenbrook, Auckland): in September 2020 the company proposed up to 200 job cuts (1News). That is old news. Check the company's latest statements.
- Dairy factories and food processing: hours and shifts change with the season. We could not verify specific 2026 closures.
If your plant restructures
- Your employer must give a written proposal, consult you and your union, and genuinely consider alternatives such as reduced hours, redeployment within the group, or voluntary redundancy.
- Check your collective agreement. Manufacturing agreements negotiated by E tū, FIRST Union, Unite or others often have clear redundancy formulas and redeployment rules, for instance weeks of pay per year of service. The amount is not set by law.
- Ask about shift and overtime changes. A cut in hours can be a breach of your agreement or a disguised redundancy.
- If you are on a visa tied to your employer, see the migrants guides, since your options and deadlines change.
| If the employer says... | What it might mean | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Line is being 'paused' | Temporary layoff or hours cut | In writing: is it a lay-off, shutdown or redundancy? Is there pay during it? |
| Role is moving to another site | Redeployment or relocation | Is relocation help offered? Is it a reasonable alternative? |
| Outsourcing or contracting out | Redundancy and possible transfer | Do employees have a right to transfer to the new provider? Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act covers some groups (for example cleaning and catering). Check current coverage with Employment NZ. |
Freight and transport
Check that you are being paid for all working time (including waiting), that your driver hours are legal, and that you hold the right licence class. If you are an owner-driver, see the business failure guide for debt and liquidation basics.
Transferable skills and next steps
- Industrial maintenance, electrical, fitting and welding skills are portable to other factories, infrastructure, mining and energy.
- Engineering technicians and process operators can move to water, energy, food and pharmaceutical plants.
- Warehousing, forklift and logistics roles suit manufacturing floor workers.
- Training: ask Work and Income and your regional tertiary providers about short courses for tickets and trade certification.
Work and Income offers redeployment support for people facing redundancy. Its page says you can contact them before your job ends, even if no decisions have been made. Support can include a named contact who helps with your CV and cover letter, looks for jobs or training, connects you with employers and arranges financial support between jobs.
- Email RedeploymentSupport@msd.govt.nz (the address Work and Income lists for redundancy support).
- Call Work and Income on 0800 559 009 to talk about payments such as Jobseeker Support or a Transition to Work Grant.
- Book a free career conversation with the Direct Career Service on 0800 222 733.
Sources
- Waatea News: More than 40,000 jobs lost (Stats NZ data) (opens in a new tab)
- 1News: Hundreds of jobs expected to be cut at NZ Steel (2020, older) (opens in a new tab)
- Employment NZ: Redundancy (opens in a new tab)
- Work and Income: Redundancy support (opens in a new tab)
General information only. Confirm with the agency for your situation. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.