Ohakune family questions future after Winstone mills closure
An Ohakune family is pondering its future following yesterday's news Ruapehu's biggest employer Winstone Pulp will close two of its central North Island mills. Charles has worked at the mill for 25 years as an electrician and his son Leonardo for the past two years as an operator, he's hoping the closure won't mean his son ends up flipping burgers. Winstone Pulp had paid staff in full during the consultation period and will pay in full any outstanding leave and redundancy for its 230 workers at the Tangiwai Sawmill and Karioi pulpmill. Charles spoke to Lisa Owen and said he thought he had a job for life and he wished he'd seen it coming.