Diversifying Southland's economy: We owe it to next generation

“Rather than saying, ‘that’s cool’, and letting the next generation worry about it in 20 years. We need to be set up for them ready to go.”

The quest to introduce new industries to Southland needs to remain even with confirmation the smelter at Tiwai Point will remain open until 2044.

On July 9, 2020 many Southlanders were left with puzzled looks as they pondered what next for the province.

Rio Tinto - the majority owner of the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter - announced that day that it had terminated electricity contracts with Meridian Energy, and they planned to close the smelter in August 2021.

All of sudden it dawned on many in Southland. The province had been propped up largely by the smelter and agriculture.

Pull one of those foundations blocks out and there were some pretty dire predictions as to the mess Southland’s economy would be left in.