Smaller brewery means less work

The seven-storey Tui tower at Mangatainoka, built in 1931, is undergoing earthquake strengthening. Photo / File

Changes are brewing at the Tui Brewery at Mangatainoka, which could include a big shake-up in job numbers.

DB, which owns the brewery, has entered into consultation which will see big changes at Mangatainoka, with a smaller-capacity brewery installed and up to 24 jobs - full-time and part-time - affected if the proposal goes ahead.

"DB is proposing to invest in redeveloping the Tui Brewery, to safeguard it for generations to come," a company spokeswoman said. "If the proposal goes ahead, this would involve the installation of a new, smaller-capacity brewery to service the requirements of the region and enhance the current Tui HQ experience, with the view to generate further tourism to the area."

The exact number of jobs affected will be determined at the conclusion of the consultation process and any changes to these roles would not take effect until May next year.

However, no final decisions have been made and in a statement DB said it is committed to the Mangatainoka community and to the wider region.

A demonstration of that commitment is the recent commissioning of Fletcher Building to undertake multi-million-dollar earthquake strengthening works on the Tui Tower at Mangatainoka to ensure the building is preserved for future generations. Combined with the new proposed investment, this could see up to $5 million spent on site.

The spokeswoman for DB said because of the nature of the process and out of respect for those involved, the company wasn't in a position to share any further information or to make any comment at this stage.

The brewery, opened by Henry Wagstaff in 1889, is a Tararua attraction owned by DB since 1969.