Business leaders in Southland are optimistic there will be jobs out their for smelter workers but not immediately. One thousand people will lose their jobs at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter when it closes next year.
A further 1600 workers in the region whose jobs rely on the smelter will also be hit hard.
The Finance Minister Grant Robertson is promising to help find new jobs in agriculture, aquaculture and manufacturing.
Ted Culley, from the at seafood company Sanford, told RNZ reporter Anan Zaki in sector is ready to help.
