Christchurch workers face job losses weeks after Calder Stewart owners make rich list – E Tu
Fifteen workers at Calder Stewart’s precast concrete operation in Hornby, Christchurch, are facing redundancy, after the company tabled a closure proposal last week.
The news comes just weeks after the Stewart family, who own Calder Stewart, were named on the 2026 NBR Rich List, with an estimated fortune of $1.1 billion built through their industrial property development and investment business.
Last year, the company cut workers’ tool allowances and long service leave entitlements, and gave no wage increase, saying workers’ pay was too high compared to competitors. Workers agreed to the cuts to help keep the company competitive and protect their jobs.
E tū delegate Finau Lamipeti, who has worked at Calder Stewart for 13 years, says workers feel let down.
“I was shocked when we got the closure proposal and then a bit angry, because we saw in the news how much money Calder Stewart made and that they’re on the NZ rich list,” Finau says.
“Last year we took a pay cut to help the company save money because they said we get paid too much and that’s why they weren’t getting any work. We did this for them and to keep our jobs. I’m worried if they close that I won’t find work, I have kids and grandkids to look after, I will miss my workmates. We are a family here and everyone is very upset and worried.”
E tū organiser Anna Huffstuttler says the timing is hard for workers to accept.
“Our members took a pay cut last year to help this company through tough times. Now they’re facing the sack, weeks after the family who owns Calder Stewart was confirmed as worth over a billion dollars. Workers kept their side of the deal. We’ll be asking Calder Stewart to do right by the people who helped get them there.”
E tū is meeting with affected members this week and will be putting forward a proposal to Calder Stewart in response to the closure plan.
Nothing disgusts me more than GREED. Hard to swallow that Calder Stewart cut workers’ tool allowance, long service leave entitlements and gave them zero wage increases after the workers took pay cuts the year before. They then closed the company down, after going on the 2026 NBR Rich List – It’s unforgivable. I guarantee they didn’t give their now ‘unwanted/jobless’ workers a large bonus since they clearly had more than ENOUGH for themselves! How do people even think that way? It’s obscene to those of us who view fairness and equality as necessary human traits. In fact it beggars belief! May they have a rethink and take the honourable action!