Save Rotorua, buy Tachikawa

Independent MP Brendan Horan is demanding the Government live up to their promise of a brighter future by saving the timber industry in Rotorua.

“John Key must step in and take control of the Tachikawa sawmill,” said Brendan Horan.

“That would be a prudent investment to save jobs , create jobs and at the same time provide much needed timber for the Christchurch rebuild and for the critical housing shortage in Auckland.

“It makes perfect sense for our Government to step in and supply Kiwi timber for Christchurch and Auckland rather than giving building contracts to firms that are importing timber and workers from overseas.

“In Norway and China, we see governments that sensibly back their own economies. They intervene to promote jobs, business, and growth.

“For example Norske Skog became a mammoth timber company with the backing of the Norwegian government. It is madness for John Key and Bill English to insist on doing nothing.

“The loss of 120 jobs in Rotorua is not just devastating for the workers but for the community. There is a huge downstream effect both economically and socially.

“The New Zealand Government must do the right thing. Creating jobs for Kiwi workers who pay taxes into our coffers just makes more sense. Acquiring the sawmill is a step forward in prudent sensible economic management,” said Brendan Horan.

“It is not just about the jobs at the mill. Already truckies have been laid off from Godfrey Haulage which used to haul wood chip day and night. Rotorua Forest Haulage workers are bracing for more job losses and the downstream effect continues: we're talking fitters and turners, electricians and sadly the list goes on. All politicians need to wake up and see what's happening.

"I will be calling for a debate in parliament because there are so many people in Rotorua whose future depends upon it. This is critical,” said Brendan Horan.

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