22 Aug 2025

Sawmill staff reeling at news of job losses

From Checkpoint, 5:29 pm on 22 August 2025

Staff at the Eves Valley sawmill in Tasman are still trying to digest the news that their jobs are likely to end soon, a blow one worker said she never saw coming. Carter Holt Harvey told the mill's almost 150 staff this week about plans consolidate its operations to Kawerau in Bay of Plenty, blaming weak markets. It comes as the timber industry struggles with low demand, increased running costs, and wars and tariffs overseas. Samantha Gee reports.