Trovon staff in Upper Hutt arrived at work in October to find the workshop locks changed. The landlord said the company owed months of rent. Australian head office told staff to go home. Administrators were appointed on 7 October. New Zealand staff were not formally terminated until early November.

Trovon has since been wound up in Australia, but its New Zealand arm remains registered. Ten workers are still owed wages. Team leader Mohammed Shameel is owed $16,000. Other staff are owed weeks of pay and leave. Some have gone into overdraft to cover living costs.

Malaysian firm Destini bought Trovon in December 2024 for A$100m, absorbing A$3.25m of debt. It has not responded to questions. Australian administrators told staff they could not claim entitlements because the issue was in New Zealand. MBIE said it could not help because Trovon had no New Zealand assets.

Director John Marinos said he was sorry and also lost his job. He said the parent company failed to provide expected funding, leading to unpaid payroll.

Greater Wellington Regional Council had earlier said 11 Matangi trains would be temporarily withdrawn from service due to the collapse but expected maintenance to return to normal in August.

Source: Radio New Zealand

26/02/26