Juken confirms Northland Mill will close after buyer search fails

Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Kaitāia's Northland Mill faces impending closure after no buyer found

Juken will close its Northland Mill by August 21 after failing to find a viable buyer or alternative business arrangement.

Production will wind down over the coming weeks following consultation with employees and union representatives.

The company says it will support affected workers with redeployment opportunities, financial advice, wellbeing support and training assistance.

Hopes of saving jobs at Juken New Zealand’s Northland Mill have ended, with the company confirming the mill will close by August 21 after failing to find a buyer.

The Japanese-owned company announced on Wednesday it had completed consultation with employees and union representatives and made the decision to proceed with the closure.

Production at the veneer mill will gradually wind down over the coming weeks as remaining work is completed. The closure is set to 60 jobs.

Juken New Zealand director Yasufumi Tsuchiya said the decision followed an extensive effort to identify a buyer or alternative arrangement that would allow the mill to continue operating in a financially sustainable way.

“Over recent months, we explored a range of options, including a sale process and other potential business arrangements. Despite those efforts, we were unable to identify a viable pathway forward,” he said.

The closure affects only the Northland Mill. Juken says its Triboard and Wairarapa mills will continue operating, while the Triboard sale process remains under way.

Tsuchiya said the company had carefully considered feedback from employees and union representatives before making its decision.

“We recognise the significance of this announcement for our employees, their whānau and the wider Northland community. Many people have dedicated years of service to Northland Mill, and we acknowledge the impact this decision will have.”

The company’s focus would now shift to supporting affected employees, including discussions about redeployment opportunities across Juken, as well as financial advice, wellbeing support, and employment and training services.

The closure applies only to the Northland Mill, which produces veneer.

Juken said its Triboard Mill and Wairarapa Mill were not affected, while the process to explore a sale of the Triboard business as a going concern remained ongoing.

The confirmation comes two days after Northland councils and regional economic development agency Northland NZ urged the Government to back proposals aimed at saving the Kaitāia mills.

The organisations argued government investment could help attract private capital to redevelop the Northland Mill site and protect jobs. Acting Prime Minister David Seymour, however, said this week the Government was wary of “throwing good money after bad” by subsidising businesses that were no longer commercially viable.

Despite confirming the closure, Juken said it remained open to discussions with potential buyers and would continue exploring opportunities relating to the Northland Mill’s land and assets.

The company said the decision affected only the Northland Mill and had been made with the long-term sustainability of its wider New Zealand forestry and manufacturing business in mind.