‘The golden days are gone’

FOR 22 years, Shane Marshall worked at Rotorua’s Te Puia cultural and geothermal attraction.

Then Covid-19 struck and he was made redundant. Now he’s picking kiwifruit and worrying about how he’ll pay the rent.

In what Marshall describes as a "double whammy", his partner, who also worked at Te Puia, has also been made redundant.

They had just moved out of their black mould-infested rental and into a new property when the virus struck.

The couple don’t have children, which makes financial concerns "a little bit easier".

Marshall has mixed emotions about the loss of his job, which enabled him to secure both a degree and masters.

"Covid 19 is unprecedented, and I get that, but as a cultural entity . . . our CEO was great, but further down, the direct management, the pastoral care could have been a lot better."

Marshall has been busy looking for other employment, but appreciates that he, and other tourism sector employees casting their nets for work, all face a similar problem.

Tourist sector companies able to ride out the storm and one day reopen "can pick and choose now because people need a job".

He’s concerned that pressure could result in a worsening of conditions for staff who are lucky enough to retain a role.

He doesn’t believe there will be any way back for him at Te Puia, irrespective of any future recovery. They were "really, really clear about redundancy. Redundancy is an absolute cut."

"The golden days are gone, but a new type of gold will come," he says. "I understand I have to adapt.’’