Growing concerns over looming toilet paper shortage as Aotearoa’s only manufacturing plant faces strike

Concern is growing over a looming toilet paper shortage as industrial action continues at Aotearoa’s only manufacturing plant.

One hundred and forty-five production workers have been furloughed from Essity Mill in Kawerau, which supplies brands such as Purex and Sorbent.

The workers have been calling for an inflation adjustment in their collective agreement for nearly a month now, but so far negotiations have failed.

“There has been no production at the factory since at least the 9th of the month, so no toilet paper has been made,” Kawerau pulp and paper union secretary Tane Phillips said.

“We don’t know how many are in warehouses across the country, but there aren’t that many here.”

Phillips told Newshub they are open to negotiation when they begin new negotiations in the coming days.

Continuing with the theme of toilet paper, this essential household item has been reviewed by Consumer NZ.

They tested it for the daily concerns we all have and a toilet paper has appeared to rule them all.

The consumer asked people what they were looking for and the answers were simple. The first and most important thing they looked for was softness, followed by puncture resistance, puncture, and disintegration time.

So how did the different brands stack up?

The results show that the best performing bathroom tissue was EarthSmart 100% Recycled Bathroom Tissue, followed closely by Soft Touch Ultra Soft Bathroom Tissue.

As for those who got you a deal, Value Strong & Soft Toilet Paper and Pams 3 Ply Long Roll Toilet Paper were the lowest rated papers.

“The general conclusion was that you don’t have to pay a lot of money to get good toilet paper. Some of the best we found weren’t the most expensive,” said product testing manager Paul Smith. of consumption.

But overall Consumer NZ was happy with the quality on the shelves.

“You spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars on this every year, so it’s nice to know that you can basically pick the cheapest and you’re not doing yourself a disservice,” Smith said.

But what do Kiwis consider when buying toilet paper?

“Texture and comfort and that kind of stuff, value for money,” said one.

“The one with the rolly dog, I’m not looking for anything in particular.”