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.
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.
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.
