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Close to 200 people will gain new employment
after the meat works factory in Te Aroha was burnt,
but 150 people will have to find new jobs.
This news was delivered to the workers in Te Aroha this afternoon.
Not too long ago, paying the bills was a synch for Junior Kaumoana,
but since his workplace was burnt down last Friday he is worried.
Junior is one of the 350 of the Te Aroha meat works factory
who were called to a meeting today.
We were not permitted into the meeting,
but it is thought that some will have to travel to Hastings for work.
The outcome was good for some, but not for the likes of Junior
who has worked at the Te Aroha factory for 17 years.
The factory was one of the main sources of income
for the community of Te Aroha,
so the fire is being treated as an accident.
It is not known when the factory will reopen,
but employees will be paid until Christmas.
Kingi Kiriona, Te Karere.