Whakatane township has been hit hard, losing tourism business after the Whakaari/White Island eruption in December 2019 and then with Covid-19. More than 200 staff at Whakatane Mill are facing an uncertain future as the mill’s owners consider closure. “We have begun consultation with staff on a proposal to wind up the business and close the mill,” he said. The mill has 210 employees and has produced paper and packaging products, latterly mostly for export, for more than 80 years. Should closure proceed, we will do everything we can to support our people and all our stakeholders,” he said.

Source: Stuff February 23, 2021 19:18 UTC