Hawk Packaging blaze costs 44 jobs | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

A week after fire destroyed the factory of Hastings firm Hawk Packaging, 44 of its fulltime staff are jobless.

Hawk Packaging on Tomoana Rd, Mahora, told staff at a meeting on Tuesday there was "no choice but to let people go" as the fire destroyed the manufacturing plant.

People development manager Kelly Fenwick said 43 factory staff and one officer worker were made redundant.

Before the fire, 63 people were employed by the business making egg cartons and apple packaging trays.

"Obviously our factory burned down so there's zero production capability here and we won't be rebuilding at this site," she said.

A new factory at Whakatu was already being built before the fire, and that would open in the next six to 12 months, Ms Fenwick said.

"But that's not ready and no production can take place at this site so we had no choice but to let people go."

Staff would receive four weeks' pay as compensation, she said.

Ralph Dickinson, who worked as a material handler at the plant for 2 years before Tuesday's redundancy, said it was a stressful time as his son, James, 23, had also worked at the firm.

"We have to find employment now," Mr Dickinson said. "It has basically plunged us into a bit of a financial situation. "There was actually sort of a roll of shock through the room, because essentially we have all got to live and look after ourselves.

"I mean yes, we are going to get first divvies on the new factory when it is built, but that's not going to be for another seven months."

Mr Dickinson said even though Work and Income and local employers attended the meeting to offer assistance, nothing was guaranteed.

"Nothing has come through yet, everyone's talking the talk," he said. "Although the meeting was only three days ago, staff seemed confident something would come through."

Ministry of Social Development East Coast regional commissioner Lindsay Scott said Hawk Packaging invited Work and Income to attend the meeting with its staff.

"We were very happy to do so," he said. "We provided information on a free CV and job application service ... and what other job opportunities are available.

"Our priority is to get as many affected staff into alternative work as we possibly can and we are working closely with Hawk management to identify opportunities."

Mr Scott said recruitment offers had come from local employers Heinz-Watties, Mr Apple, Apollo and Wine Works.

Heinz-Watties spokesman Paul Hemsley said there was seasonal work available for those made redundant. "We've had calls from Hawk Packaging about their redundancies, and inquiring of any job opportunities with Watties.

"We have indicated to them that over the next few months there will be the usual significant number of seasonal positions on our fruit and vegetable processing lines."

Mr Hemsley said those recruited would begin work soon.

Ms Fenwick said Hawk Packaging would still supply products to its clients, using imported supplies.

Manufacturing of its own products would start again once the new factory was built and redundant staff would be the first considered for employment when the new factory opened, she said.