New Zealand based potato chip company Proper Crisps looks to close Nelson factory

Nelson, New Zealand — a coastal city at the top of the South Island, known for its vibrant horticulture sector, strong food manufacturing base, and history of pioneering food companies — is “punch drunk with bad news” as Proper Crisps’ parent company Griffin’s Snacks has proposed closing the Stoke factory and shifting production to Auckland by late 2027.

Griffin’s Snacks recently shared a proposal with its Nelson and Wellington teams to consolidate all New Zealand savoury snack manufacturing at the company’s Wiri site in Auckland, saying the plan is about strengthening manufacturing capability in New Zealand for the long term, though it could also mean change for some employees. 

If the proposal goes ahead, 82 roles across Nelson and Wellington could be affected. In a post to social media, the mayor said he felt for the "about 65 Nelson staff and families affected as well as the further blow to the Nelson economy".

Nelson mayor Nick Smith

Nick Smith:

"The region is punch drunk with bad news following the storms in June and July, the August decision to close the [Carter Holt Harvey] Eves Valley sawmill, the September proposal by Sealord to close its fish coating plant and now this Griffin’s announcement of its proposal to close its Proper Crisps factory in Echodale Place in Stoke. I cannot recall such a terrible run of bad news for our region in over 30 years as an MP and now mayor."

Smith said the factory was built in Nelson, "not because of us being a potato growing area, but it being the home of the founding food innovators".

Nick Smith:

"Recently we shared with our Nelson and Wellington teams a proposal to consolidate all New Zealand savoury snack manufacturing at our Wiri site in Auckland. This proposal is about strengthening our manufacturing capability in New Zealand for the long term, but we know it could mean change for some of our people"