Mill closure opens new opportunities

FILE

Almost six months ago, Steven Winiata was left gutted when the sawmill he'd devoted 15 years of his life to closed.

Unemployed, the father-of-three knew he had to find work - and fast.

But Tachikawa Forest Products going into receivership turned out to be a new opportunity for Mr Winiata.

He's now working at Te Maioha o Parekarangi Youth Residence. It's not a permanent position, which he'd love, but it's one he's thoroughly enjoying and finding challenging.

"The way I look at it is I'm one of the lucky ones."

Mr Winiata said he applied for the job after seeing application forms at one of the marae meetings for out-of-work ex-Tachikawa employees.

He said it was a far cry from his work as a debarker machine operator, but had shown him there was more to life than forestry and mill jobs, which were the only ones he'd known.

Mr Winiata said while he found work fairly quickly, he felt for fellow workers who were still looking.

He said it was difficult as there were a lack of permanent jobs available and many of the positions on offer were casual.

"It could have been a blessing in disguise. There's more jobs out there than just timber."