Regarding local grumblings regarding the suspension of domestic-sized killing and processing jobs, Terry says the temporary suspension has been coming for six months.
"It was not a secret that it would be temporarily unavailable, the information was public knowledge." he says.
He says Gold International will re-evaluate the suspension when the sale is finalised.
Clive Robertson, owner operator of Chop Shop Homekill Butchery Service, says the suspension will affect a lot of local businesses in the industry. He says while many homekill services like Chop Shop do have the facilities to kill and process animals on site, they can only do it for the farmer who brings it in, and not for resale.
Taranaki Abattoirs is the only killing and processing facility for small numbers of animals for resale in Taranaki.
Terry says the interest from Gold International came when he was showing them another facility for sale.
"They were looking for a operational plant with all the relevant resource consents; location wasn't a factor.
"When the purchase by Gold International is finalised this will be a huge boost for the local economy."
He estimates that up to 40 jobs will be created in the local community and says the abattoir has always used local trades workers and contractors and this support will continue.
While the sale and purchase agreement is still in progress Terry says he has done his best to ensure his current staff have continuity of employment with the change of hands. Terry himself will also be on site for the next three to six years in a consultancy role for Gold International.
In response to criticism of his decision to sell to a Chinese export company he says if local businesses had supported them and "not just used us" he may have made a different decision.
