Juken New Zealand (JNL) has today begun consultation with employees on two proposals for the future of its Triboard Mill in Kaitaia, following an extensive process to explore options for the Mill.
Since March, JNL has sought a buyer for the Triboard business, while considering other ways to secure a sustainable future for the site and preserve jobs for our teams. Despite considerable efforts, JNL has not been able to identify a buyer willing to take on the business and all current employees, or another viable arrangement that would support long-term profitability.
However, JNL is in negotiations with a prospective buyer for Triboard’s land, buildings and other assets. No binding sale agreement has been reached.
As a result, we are consulting with employees on two proposals:
- the sale of Triboard’s land, buildings and other assets to the current prospective buyer; or
- if that sale does not proceed, the closure of Triboard Mill and continued efforts to sell the land and associated assets.
Under either proposal, JNL would cease operating Triboard Mill no later than mid-March 2027, or potentially earlier depending on operational requirements.
These proposals reflect the challenges facing Triboard, including weaker demand in key markets, rising costs and not enough work to sustain current operations.
If a sale proceeds, the prospective buyer has indicated that it intends to restart Mill operations under new ownership and management. The timing of any restart and any future employment opportunities would be matters for the prospective buyer.
No decisions have been made, and we will carefully consider the feedback we receive from employees during consultation before the Board determines the way forward.
Should a sale agreement be reached, there would still be a number of steps to work through before the assets could be transferred. We look forward to working constructively with local and central government, and other relevant stakeholders, as required through that process.
Consultation with employees will remain open until 4pm on 25 November 2026.
We recognise the importance of certainty for our customers and suppliers. There are currently no changes to supply arrangements. JNL will continue to fulfil all confirmed orders and meet its contractual commitments, with production continuing as planned during the consultation period.
Products supplied from JNL’s Wairarapa operations (J-Frames, J-Ply, Solid lumber and Veneer) are not affected by this proposal, nor our Forestry operations in Wairarapa or Gisborne and there is no change to those supply arrangements either.
JNL remains committed to responsible forest management and maintaining a sustainable business in New Zealand.
Yasufumi Tsuchiya
Executive Director
Juken New Zealand Ltd
ENDS
About Juken New Zealand Ltd (as of November 2026):
- Owns 40,000 hectares of sustainably managed and certified plantation forests, providing ongoing employment to over 200 forestry workers in Tairawhiti and 100 in Wairarapa.
- Has two working mills in Kaitaia and Wairarapa making wood products for local and export markets, with about 340 manufacturing employees combined.
- Owned by WoodOne Ltd, which established Juken New Zealand in 1990 and has since invested more than $NZ720 million into its forest and processing operations in NZ.
