29 Sep 2020

Megan Woods on Tiwai Point closure plans

From Morning Report, 8:40 am on 29 September 2020

Work is underway to get power generated at the Manapouri hydro dam in Southland to the rest of the country.

Rio Tinto announced in July it would close its Southland-based Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, costing the region over a thousand jobs, but a raft of election promises may delay its closure.

Yesterday Labour announced a plan to extend the life of the smelter by three to five years if elected.

Spokesperson Megan Woods says her party's plan buys time to help the community transition.