Kinleith ‘kicks out’ New Zealand’s last reel of paper

Monday, 30 June 2025

Workers deliver the last reel of paper to be made in New Zealand at Kinleith Mill on Monday.

It was the end of an era, and the end of employment for more than 150 Kinleith Mill workers after New Zealand’s last paper making machine was shut down for good on Monday.

One worker told the Waikato Times that while the news had taken six months to sink in, it was still an emotional day for many workers, some who had been there for more than 40 years.

In late November last year, mill owners, Japan-based Oji Fibre Solutions (OjiFS), announced it would be stopping all paper production at the mill with potential job losses of up to 230 staff.

Oji Fibre Solutions chief executive Jon Ryder said the company were ‘still in a transition phase’ and the final number of job losses were not yet known.

At the time, OjiFS chief executive Jon Ryder said the company would be focusing on pulp, and discontinuing its loss-making paper production.

Its plan was to permanently shut Kinleith’s last paper machine and import paper for its packaging operations.

On Monday, Ryder said “more than 250 staff will remain at Kinleith Mill for the continuation of its pulp operations“.

Winston Peters spoke about saving jobs at the mill during a community meeting in Tokoroa in January.

“We are still in a transition phase for some operations staff and currently reviewing support role requirements, so the final number of job losses is not yet known.

“OjiFS remains committed to transitioning to its new business model. We are confident the changes we’re making will set the company up for a more stable and sustainable future. There is more work to do, but we believe we are on the right track.”

After four years as a paper mill worker, Brodie Haugh said he was one of the lucky ones who transferred from the paper machine to pulp production after some older staff took voluntary redundancy.

He was there when the last roll of paper came out of the machine.

New Zealand’s last paper making machine (foreground) was closed at Kinleith Mill on Monday.

“We kicked the last reel out so that’s about it for now,” he said.

“It’s been a little bit emotional, especially for a couple of older guys that have been here for 40 plus years … but everyone’s staying strong and it’s not all bad.

“I think because we got told six months ago this was happening it was a bit of a shock back then.”

The mill’s owners will continue to produce pulp at Kinleith, but its paper-making days are over.

However, Haugh said about 90% of the workers who had lost their jobs had found other work, and many of those who hadn’t, had moved into retirement.

“Some of them are doing a bit of tanker driving and a few others are going over to the pulp site.

“Everyone’s looking after each other and trying to keep positive vibes going. Things are a little bit easier now, even though it’s closing today, it was more of a shock when we got told six months ago that we’re closing.”

He said Tokoroa was a small community that stuck together and helped each other when the chips were down.

“Everyone’s really supportive, so there hasn’t been a lot of negativity.”

Staff planned to have a barbecue on Monday afternoon, and would reminisce on Friday at the Tokoroa Club over a few beers.

South Waikato mayor Gary Petley said the mood was sombre when he visited workers for their final shift on Monday morning.

“But it is what it is, and it’s still a bitter pill to swallow.

“When you look at the scale of it all, the history of when the first paper machine went into production, the thousands of jobs we had back in the ‘70s, it doesn't make the decision that Oji made any easier to swallow.

“But, we need to move on, and the realisation from the people today was that it's done.”

Petley said various wrap around services put in place by the council, the Ministry of Social Development, local iwi Raukawa, and the South Waikato Investment Fund Trust had helped some outgoing staff find jobs, and Tokoroa would live to fight another day.