Trovon NZ collapse leaves workers unpaid and stranded after parent firm's liquidation
Trovon NZ collapse leaves workers unpaid and stranded after parent firm's liquidation
Trovon NZ collapse leaves workers unpaid and stranded after parent firm's liquidation
Trovon New Zealand's sudden news has left employees unpaid and struggling financially. The company, once a key supplier for Wellington's train maintenance, ceased operations after its Australian parent firm was wound up. Some staff now face severe hardship, with one forced to take night shifts to support a newborn child.
The Upper Hutt workshop, where Trovon operated, had its locks changed due to unpaid rent. The company's 10 New Zealand employees were left without news for their final weeks of work, with some owed thousands of dollars. Despite the closure, Trovon New Zealand remains a registered company, even after its Australian parent was liquidated.
John Marinos, the sole director of Trovon New Zealand, issued an apology for the situation. He acknowledged the distress caused to employees but offered no immediate solution for their unpaid wages. Meanwhile, administrators in Sydney confirmed they could not assist staff with outstanding entitlements, as the issue fell under New Zealand jurisdiction.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) stated it was powerless to act, as Trovon held no news in New Zealand. Greater Wellington Regional Council, which oversees Metlink, declined to comment on the matter. Earlier reports had warned that 11 Matangi trains would be withdrawn from service due to Trovon's collapse, though officials assured the public that timetables would remain unaffected.
Trovon was acquired by Malaysian firm Destini for AU$100 million (NZ$118 million) in December 2024. However, the acquisition did not prevent the company's eventual collapse in New Zealand.
The fallout from Trovon's closure has left workers without pay and few options for recovery. With no news in New Zealand and no support from administrators or government agencies, affected employees now face an uncertain path to reclaiming lost wages. The company's remaining legal status in New Zealand offers little comfort to those still owed money.