Hillside Engineering

There was a ''significant chunk'' of New Zealand's manufacturing sector that was performing admirably and it was about time it was recognised, BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said.

Kiwirail says it has re-employed 17 staff made redundant from Hillside, of whom 11 remain working for the state-owned enterprise in Dunedin.

The Office of the Auditor-general has ruled out an inquiry into the purchasing of rolling stock by KiwiRail, satisfied the state-owned enterprise has done nothing wrong.

Marking 50 years of work at the Hillside foundry, Roger Parsons yesterday poured the last KiwiRail cast on site before heading to his local for a beer. The 65-year-old started as a Hillside moulding apprentice on February 7, 1963, aged 15.

The global manufacturing company leasing Hillside's foundry remains tight-lipped about its operation and planned expansion.

At least one redundant Hillside worker has been denied a Christmas hamper of community-donated goods, organised by Labour Party Dunedin South MP Clare Curran.

Down but not out, redundant Hillside workers are vowing to fight on amid hope the South Dunedin manufacturing facility will be resurrected under a new government.

Six years ago, it seemed nothing could stop the rise and rise of the Hillside Engineering Workshops. Now, they have closed after Government-owned KiwiRail decided it could not keep them operating. Business editor Dene Mackenzie looks back at some of the highs and lows.

More than just a place of work, Hillside has been a social, cultural and communal institution for its thousands of staff and their families during its 130 years.

Today marks a dark day for the city and its long and proud manufacturing history.