Winstone Pulp: a cornerstone industry

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 424, 18 February 1992, Page 7

Winstone Pulp: a cornerstone industry

One of the cornerstones of the Waimarino economy is Winstone Pulp In-

ternational Limited's Karioi Pulp Mill, which produced its one millionth tonne of pulp

last week. Many people overlook the impact the mill has on the area. A

reason behind its low profile locally is because all of its product is sold overseas. Skiing and carrots are more easily remembered because many other New Zealanders know of their link to the area. Beats skiing But mill staff say if the mill went, it would have a much bigger impact on the area than if the skifield disappeared. "Don't get me wrong, I love skiing and I think it adds a lot to the area, but the mill is a much more solid and important part of the local economy," said one staff member. The mill directly employs about 135 wage and salary earners, but there are also

large numbers of people employed in asso- , ciated areas, such as in the supplying forests

where apart from the Winstone forests' employees, there are more than 70 contract

cutting staff, 50 road transport staff plus numerous others inTurnpage8

Winstones a cornerstone of Waimarino's economy

From page 7 cluding silviculturalists road maintenance staff. 'The mill has really affected the make-up of Ohakune," said Dave Anderson. "There are very few towns with, say, three to four electrical engi-

neers, three to four mechanical engineers for example. We have some people here who are recognised world wide for their experience and knowledge - people like Phillip Wilson who is a process engineer who manages the technical department."