Talley’s closure the latest in a year of mill and factory closures
Monday, 4 May 2026
Last Week, Talley’s Seafood announced the closure of its Westport fish processing factory, affecting 92 jobs.
In a statement, the company said the decision followed a strategic review of its processing network and reflected productivity and efficiency improvements across its operations.
The closure of Talley’s Westport factory is just the latest in a long line of mill and factory closures that have impacted communities across the country in the last year.
Here are five notable closures from the last year.
Oji Fibre Solutions Kinleith Mill’s paper-making productions
A year of closures kicked off in February 2025, with the end of Oji Fibre Solutions (OFS) paper-making productions at its Kinleith Mill in Tokoroa.
The decision, which impacted around 150 jobs, came after months of consultation with staff following an initial proposal in November 2024.
Oji Fibre Solutions said the decision was due to a move to simplify the mill’s operations by focusing on pulp production and discontinuing paper manufacturing.
The company’s last paper machine permanently shut down in June 2025, with OFS moving to a paper import model for its packaging operations.
Carter Holt Harvey’s Tokoroa plywood plant
In November 2025, Carter Holt Harvey closed its plywood manufacturing plant in Tokoroa, resulting in the loss of 119 jobs.
The plant had been operating in the small South Waikato town for decades, with staff left 'devastated' by the closure.
At the time, one staffer, Andrew Dobbs, who had worked at the plant for 24 years, said the news was “really sad” and that they didn’t expect the company to stop manufacturing altogether.
“Basically, imported product is just too cheap for us to compete with, that’s the guts of it,” Dobbs said.
Carter Holt Harvey’s Eves Valley sawmill
The Tokoroa plant was not the only closure affecting Carter Holt Harvey staff in 2025, with the company also closing its Eves Valley sawmill.
The Nelson facility was built in the 1980s; however, after decades, the decision was made to close it and consolidate the company's resources at its Kawerau plant.
Tasman Mayor Tim King called the decision “bloody gutting”, with 142 jobs lost in the process.
“There’s not a lot of jobs like this in provincial New Zealand, good solid manufacturing jobs,” King said.
Heinz Watties to close multiple sites
The closures rolled on into 2026, with Heinz Watties announcing in March it would shut multiple sites across the country.
Factories in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Auckland will close, while frozen packing lines in Hastings will also go, impacting around 300 roles.
Managing Director Andrew Donegan said the decision followed a formal consultation process and was necessary for the 'long-term viability' of the business.
The site closures would be phased over the year, with the company saying that final job-loss numbers were not yet known as it sought redeployment opportunities for staff.
McCain’s Hastings vegetable processing plant
Also in March, McCain announced it would close its Hastings vegetable processing plant in January 2027, after the processing and packing season.
The company said the decision followed a “strategic review of its Hastings operations and reflected a shift in how McCain will supply its vegetable portfolio within Australia and New Zealand.
McCain’s did not say how many jobs would be affected, but it’s understood that up to 200 people work at the plant, depending on the season.
McCain’s had been operating a plant in Hastings since 1996.