McCain closure latest sign Govt failing on jobs – Labour

The closure of the McCain Foods processing plant in Hastings is being cited by Labour as further evidence of economic decline under Christopher Luxon, with growing concern over job losses across New Zealand’s manufacturing sector.

McCain Hastings closure hits workers and community

The closure of McCain’s Hastings vegetable processing factory is another blow for workers and further proof the Government is failing on jobs and the economy.

“The Government has added another massive failure to its record. The closure will hit workers, their families, and the Hawke’s Bay community hard,” Labour jobs and income spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

Labour says job losses are part of a wider trend

“Sadly, this is not a one-off event at one company — this is part of a broader pattern of closures affecting thousands of jobs across the manufacturing sector under Christopher Luxon’s watch.

Major factory closures across New Zealand

“We’ve now seen major closures at Wattie’s, Kinleith Mill, Winstone Pulp, Sealord, and many other companies reducing their workforces.

“Christopher Luxon promised he would fix the economy, instead he’s making it much worse.

What the job loss numbers show

“Unemployment has soared. There are 32,000 fewer jobs since National took office. Business liquidations are at a 15-year high.

“Each one of those jobs lost is a family struggling to pay the bills or a loved one moving to Australia.

Political fallout ahead of Election 2026

“New Zealand can’t afford another three years of National’s failures. Labour’s priority is a more affordable New Zealand with well-paid jobs and a future made right here in New Zealand,” Ginny Andersen said.

Factory closures don’t just affect balance sheets — they ripple through communities, families and entire regions. The real question now is how many more will follow.