Eighty workers being laid off from a mill in Gisborne say the sudden job loss is devastating.
Japanese-owned Juken New Zealand told staff on Friday that it had decided to close due to ongoing financial difficulties and falling demand.
Sixty workers were set to lose their jobs before Christmas, with another 20 leaving in March.
First Union represented the workers and its representative, Colleen Ryan, said they were heartbroken, with some losing their entire family income.
“Even though they knew this was potentially going to happen, it was extremely upsetting for them,” she said.