Candidate calls for action over AgResearch

A Hamilton City Council candidate says the Mayor, councillors and local MPs need to do more to try and save the loss of 180 jobs from AgResearch’s Ruakura base.

Anjum Rahman, who is standing for the East Ward, says the planned loss of jobs would be a “significant loss” to the city.

“Both in economic terms and in terms of the loss of knowledge and expertise in our community, this is a big blow for Hamilton. Aside from their work expertise, these people contribute to the city in a variety of other ways,” Ms Rahman says.

“These people also have families who will face major upheavals in their lives. Schools and communities will suffer and the impacts of this restructuring will be felt throughout the region.”

She has called on Mayor Julie Hardaker, incumbent councillors and the region’s MPs to work together and make strong representations to central government in an effort to retain the jobs in Hamilton.

“We need much stronger and more co-ordinated action from our representatives,” she says.

The Hamilton City Council will discuss the proposed restructure Thursday and Ms Rahman says she would like to see a range of measures developed which show the council is prepared to fight for the jobs of 180 Hamiltonions.

“The Waikato is New Zealand’s largest dairy region and has always been home to the Crown Research Institute’s main base. A lot of work done at Ruakura is vital to the wellbeing of that industry and we can’t afford to let that work go elsewhere.”

Ruakura is an important part of the city’s history and our elected representatives should be doing more to ensure it has an equally important place in our future, she says.

A final decision on AgResearch’s future is due September.

ENDS

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