Economic development and forestry minister Stuart Nash says the proposed closure of Whakatāne mill was a blow to the community, but he still believes the wood industry has a future there. Rosa Woods/Stuff Whakatane mayor Judy Turner says she would like there to be a wider discussion about supporting the local wood industry. ‘’That is a definite handicap.’’First Union, which has 100 members at the site, agreed more discussions should be had at government level over how to support the wood industry. Work is also being done by officials and the industry to draw up a 20-year industry transformation strategy for the forestry and wood processing sectors. “We need to see increased support for manufacturing in the regions, particularly in the form of government procurement for local wood products.

Source: Stuff February 23, 2021 19:22 UTC