OPINION: The spectre of losing the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter has hung over the Southland economy for decades. That’s why we are calling on the Government for support with a package that will help build our future and take advantage of the resources Southland has to offer. To date, we’ve had constructive meetings with Ministers and politicians from a range of parties on the future for Southland – but we need firm commitments. There is no getting past the fact that should the smelter be lost it would be a major blow to Southland. Tracy Hicks is the chair of the Southland Mayoral Forum and Gore District Mayor

Source: Stuff August 27, 2020 23:48 UTC