In the ever-evolving landscape of New Zealand’s economy, business closures have become an unfortunate reality for many workers. Over the past year, from October 2024 to October 2025, numerous companies across sectors like manufacturing, dairy, media, and hospitality have shut down operations, leaving thousands jobless.
If you’re among those affected, turning to a reliable CV writing service NZ can be a game-changer. At The CV Experts NZ, our specialist CV writers help individuals rebuild their professional narratives, emphasising transferable skills and opening doors to new opportunities. This blog explores recent major closures and how professional CV writing can support your next career move.
Understanding the Wave of Business Closures in New Zealand
New Zealand’s economy has faced significant challenges, including high energy costs, weak global demand, and industry shifts toward sustainability and imports. These pressures have led to a spate of closures, particularly in traditional sectors. According to reports from trusted sources like RNZ, NZ Herald, and The Spinoff, aggregate data indicates over 2,500 hospitality businesses and 765 construction firms have closed, though detailed staff impacts are harder to pinpoint in those areas. However, several large-scale closures stand out, affecting hundreds of employees each.
One of the most impactful was the shutdown of Smithfield Meatworks in Timaru in 2024, which resulted in approximately 600 job losses. This meat processing facility cited weak demand as the primary reason, highlighting vulnerabilities in the primary industries. Similarly, in the forestry and paper sector, Oji Fibre Solutions’ Kinleith Mill in Tokoroa halted paper processing in June 2025, affecting around 230 staff as the company shifted to imports. Nearby, the Tangiwai Sawmill and Karioi Pulpmill near Ohakune in Ruapehu closed in 2024 due to unsustainable energy prices, impacting another 230 workers.
Further north, Eves Valley Sawmill in Tasman wound down operations in September 2025, leading to 142 redundancies in the forestry industry. Carter Holt Harvey’s Plywood Plant in Tokoroa followed suit with an early closure in October 2025, affecting 119 employees. Oji Fibre Solutions also shuttered its Penrose Mill in Auckland in 2024, resulting in 72 job losses from the paper recycling operations.
In the dairy sector, Fonterra’s Canpac canning and packaging facility in Hamilton closed in July 2025, with about 120 staff impacted as the cooperative focused on higher-value ingredients amid low volumes. The Ravensdown Fertiliser Plant in Dunedin (Ōtepoti), a century-old operation, closed in 2025 due to broader industry changes, affecting 30 workers.
Media and hospitality haven’t been spared either. Newshub, operated by Warner Bros. Discovery, fully shut down its national operations in Auckland in April 2024, including TV bulletins and its website, leading to 300 redundancies amid a contracting media landscape. On a smaller but still significant scale, Bordeaux Bakery closed all its Wellington sites (Thorndon Quay, Featherston Street, and Lambton Quay) in October 2024 after 30 years, impacting around 40 staff due to hospitality sector pressures.
These closures underscore a broader trend: economic restructuring that’s displacing skilled workers from roles in processing, manufacturing, journalism, and service industries. For those affected, the immediate challenge is not just financial but also professional—how to reposition yourself in a competitive job market.
The Human Impact: Challenges Faced by Affected Workers
Losing a job due to a business closure can be devastating, especially in regional areas like Timaru, Tokoroa, or Ruapehu, where alternative employment options may be limited. Workers from Smithfield Meatworks, for instance, often have specialised skills in meat processing, quality control, and supply chain management—valuable but not always directly transferable to other sectors without reframing.
In the media industry, Newshub’s closure left journalists, producers, and technical staff scrambling. Their expertise in content creation, digital media, and storytelling is highly sought after, yet the job market demands CVs that bridge the gap to roles in communications, marketing, or even tech.
Forestry and paper mill workers from closures like Oji Fibre Solutions or Carter Holt Harvey face similar hurdles. Roles involving machinery operation, safety protocols, and logistics require CVs that highlight adaptability to emerging green industries or manufacturing alternatives.
Dairy and fertiliser plant employees, such as those from Fonterra Canpac or Ravensdown, possess knowledge in production, packaging, and agricultural science. With New Zealand’s dairy sector pivoting toward sustainability, these professionals need CVs that emphasize innovation and environmental compliance.
Even in hospitality, Bordeaux Bakery’s staff—bakers, managers, and wholesalers—have skills in customer service, inventory management, and food production that could translate to retail or food tech, but only if presented effectively.
The common thread? Many of these individuals have years of experience but outdated CVs that don’t reflect current market needs. This is where a professional CV writing service steps in, transforming potential into opportunity.
How a Professional CV Writing Service NZ Can Help You Rebound
At The CV Experts NZ, we specialise in crafting CVs that not only meet but exceed employer expectations. Our CV writers NZ understand the nuances of various industries, ensuring your document showcases transferable skills while incorporating keywords that pass applicant tracking systems (ATS).
For meat processing workers from Smithfield Meatworks, our specialist CV writers can reframe experience in food safety, team leadership, and efficiency metrics to appeal to roles in logistics, quality assurance, or even agribusiness startups. We’ve helped clients pivot from processing lines to supervisory positions by highlighting quantifiable achievements, like reducing waste by 15% or managing teams of 50+.
Media professionals affected by Newshub’s closure benefit from our expertise in digital portfolios. A CV writing service like ours integrates multimedia elements, emphasising skills in SEO, content strategy, and audience engagement—key for transitioning to corporate communications or freelance gigs. One client, a former producer, landed a role at a digital agency after we tailored her CV to underscore her adaptability in fast-paced environments.
In forestry and manufacturing, where closures like those at Oji Fibre Solutions or Eves Valley Sawmill have hit hard, we focus on technical proficiencies. Our professional CV writing process involves detailing certifications in heavy machinery, health and safety, and project management, making you attractive to construction, renewable energy, or export firms. For instance, we assisted a mill operator in securing a position in sustainable timber by quantifying his contributions to production targets.
Dairy sector redundancies, such as from Fonterra Canpac, require CVs that highlight innovation. The CV Experts NZ team crafts narratives around process optimization and supply chain expertise, positioning you for roles in food technology or export management. A packaging specialist we worked with emphasized her role in eco-friendly initiatives, leading to a job in a growing dairy alternatives company.
Even for smaller closures like Ravensdown or Bordeaux Bakery, our approach is personalised. Hospitality workers get CVs that spotlight customer-facing skills and operational acumen, ideal for retail or event management. We ensure keywords like “inventory control” and “team coordination” are woven in naturally.
Beyond tailoring, our CV writing service NZ includes cover letter creation, LinkedIn optimisation, and interview coaching—comprehensive support to boost your confidence. We use a collaborative process: initial consultations to understand your career goals, followed by drafts refined with your feedback.
Why Choose The CV Experts NZ as Your CV Writers NZ
What sets The CV Experts NZ apart from other CV writing services Auckland? Our team of specialist CV writers brings decades of combined experience across NZ industries, ensuring authenticity and relevance. We’re based in New Zealand, so we know the local job market intimately—from Auckland’s media hubs to rural manufacturing centers.
Clients rave about our results: “The CV Experts NZ turned my outdated resume into a powerhouse that got me interviews within weeks,” says a former forestry worker.
Plus, our services are affordable and efficient, with turnaround times as quick as 48 hours for urgent needs post-redundancy.
Taking the Next Step: Secure Your Future with Professional CV Writing
Business closures like those we’ve discussed are tough, but they’re also opportunities for reinvention. Whether you’re from the meatworks in Timaru or a bakery in Wellington, a well-crafted CV is your ticket to new beginnings. Don’t navigate this alone—partner with a trusted CV writing service NZ.
Contact The CV Experts NZ today at www.cvexperts.co.nz for a free consultation. Our specialist CV writers are ready to help you stand out in a competitive market. Remember, your next role is just a polished CV away.
