Juken New Zealand Closes Kaitaia Mill, Leaving Workers Facing Uncertainty

Juken New Zealand confirmed the permanent shutdown of its Kaitaia mill in Northland. On the final day, the parking lot held only five cars compared with the usual thirty-odd, signalling the end of operations. A small “skeleton crew” remains to maintain the site and dismantle machinery, while the rest of the workforce has been sent home.

The New Zealand Herald

Director Yasufumi Tsuchiya said redundancy payments are being issued this week, with final pay—including entitlements through August 21—to be paid the following week. Since the closure decision, 28 employees have secured continued employment with Juken New Zealand: 19 have moved to the Triboard mill, 9 have been retained in roles with minor changes, and 6 are staying temporarily to assist with site maintenance, three of whom may be redeployed later. In total, 44 employees are transitioning out of the business, either through new jobs, personal commitments, or retirement. An employee who started in 2016 noted his last day was July 31.

The New Zealand Herald

Coverdale described the shutdown as “the end of an era” for the Kaitaia side, while expressing optimism that the Triboard mill’s order book through Christmas could attract a buyer. Several employees, including Coverdale’s own family, are weighing relocation to places such as Whangarei, though they perceive limited job prospects there as well. Despite the uncertainty, many say they are satisfied with the redundancy packages offered.

The New Zealand Herald

Yasufumi Tsuchiya emphasized that the closure process is nearing completion and highlighted the company’s plan to host a job fair in the coming weeks to connect displaced staff with potential employers. He reiterated that the company remains committed to supporting affected workers through redeployment and assistance programs.

The New Zealand Herald

• “It really is like the end of an era for that side. And for the Triboard side, they carry on. They’ve got orders right up until Christmas, so we’re hopeful that a buyer will come in and take over.” — Coverdale, worker

The New Zealand Herald