Southland workers at the endangered Tiwai Point smelter are frustrated it has taken political leaders so long to take their livelihoods seriously.
In July, Rio Tinto announced production would end at the plant in August next year, putting more than 2,000 jobs at risk.
But New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the smelter is the most eco-friendly in the world and there's no reason it can't continue operating for decades - something he promises to make happen if back in government.
RNZ political reporter Jo Moir is in Southland.
