Guy Gets Behind Swazi
Otaki MP Nathan Guy says retaining jobs at Swazi in Levin is a key priority as he works with the company to resolve a contractual issue.
“Yesterday, I visited Swazi and met owners Davey and Margaret Hughes and their staff to reassure them I was doing all I could as their local MP in Government,” Mr Guy says.
“Mr Hughes has reassured me that he believes he can keep all his staff employed and I’ll be working alongside him to see how the Government can assist.
“Like many of our locally owned and operated businesses, Swazi has a good track record and produces a high-quality product.”
Mr Guy says he has organised for Mr Hughes to meet the Minister of Defence Hon Wayne Mapp on Tuesday (March 3) to discuss a way forward.
“Mr Hughes first approached me at the end of last year about his concerns regarding the defence contract and I immediately organised a conference call with the Minister.
“The specifics of the contract have been extremely difficult to understand. It appears the main Defence Force contract is with an Australian company, Yakka Apparel Solutions, and Swazi is one of a number of New Zealand subcontractors that have been affected by this decision to move some manufacturing to China.
“Mr Mapp has indicated that when the army contract is reviewed in July next year, there needs to be a greater emphasis placed on New Zealand companies pitching for business,” Mr Guy says.