Weston Kirton: Ruapehu District Mayor calling for Government to step in and save two mills facing closure due to rising energy costs

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

The Mayor of the Ruapehu District wants the Government to step in to save two businesses facing closure.

Hundreds of jobs are on the line - with the Kariori pulpmill and Tangiwai sawmill both under pressure, as energy costs have gone up significantly in recent years.

A meeting on the fate of hundreds of workers is expected tomorrow.

Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton told Ryan Bridge this is not a new issue - as Tiwai Point was bailed out.

He says the Government can cap electricity prices to allow the mills to get over the line until the issue evens out.

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