Jayde Scott moved back to Nelson after a decade in Australia and spent six months looking for work before he got a job at the new Woolworths store. Photo: Samantha Gee/RNZ
A new Woolworths supermarket has opened in Nelson, creating 60 new jobs in a region that's been hit hard by extreme weather and recent job losses.
The Nelson-Tasman region is recovering from back-to-back winter floods, the closure of its largest sawmill and the loss of more than 100 jobs across the manufacturing sector.
The new 4000 square metre Woolworths store is located at the Nelson Junction complex, near the airport.
It will employ more than 90 staff, with 60 of those new jobs. More than 400 people turned up to an open day for prospective workers in August.
One of the new employees, Jayde Scott, spent six months looking for work before landing a night shift job at the new store.
The 36-year-old was born in Nelson and worked as a builder before moving to Perth, where he had spent the last 10 years, before moving back to New Zealand.
Scott said he had applied for more than 20 jobs and was prepared to do anything.
"I applied for everything, I'll do load running, I'll do general customer service, I will do building, I will do road work, I'll do whatever - whatever the job is going basically," he said.
Scott had not considered working in a supermarket until one day he was doing his shopping and decided to ask at the front counter if they had any jobs going.
Nothing was available at the time but when he later checked back in recuitment was starting for the new store and Scott said he was thrilled to be offered a position.
"I was just really thankful that they gave me the chance."
He already moved to a full-time contract and received a couple of promotions, including supervisor work twice a week.
The new Woolworths store at Nelson Junction employs more than 90 staff and two thirds are newly created roles. Photo: Samantha Gee/RNZ
Ifalemi Mone, 46, had just moved to Nelson with his wife and youngest daughter and had spent four months applying for different jobs without any luck.
He was shopping at another Woolworths when he noticed a group of people lined up and after someone told him it was for job interviews, he joined the queue.
"I just forget about my shopping and I just lined up," Mone said.
"I got interviewed on Sunday and on Monday they called me and it was the moment that I was waiting for to get a job here in Nelson. I was so happy."
Mone is Tongan and he and his family were living in Fiji before they made the move to New Zealand. He previously worked as a teacher for 17 years and it is the first time he had worked in a supermarket.
"This is not my profession but I was looking for something to do rather than just staying at home doing nothing and to help out my wife paying our bills."
Two months in, he said he loved the job, learning new skills and the variety it offered.
Ayla King is one of 60 new employees at Woolworths Nelson Junction. Photo: Samantha Gee/RNZ
Ayla King, 18, heard about the job openings at the new Woolworths on Facebook several months ago.
The Nelson-born teenager had been working as a chef.
However, it was difficult to find work over winter, she said.
"I haven't been employed since March and I've been working consecutively since I was about 15 and that break - consistently searching for a job - it was a long time, so I was so happy when this came around."
She works in major filll, making sure shelves were stocked and said she had enjoyed working to get the new store ready for opening.
"So far here it's just been really inclusive of everyone no matter what department you're in and I really like that because I haven't always gotten that, so I feel very appreciated and cared about."
The new Woolworths store at Nelson Junction employs more than 90 staff and two thirds are newly created roles. Photo: Samantha Gee/RNZ
The store was officially opened on Thursday by Nelson MP Rachel Boyack, who wished all the new employees the best.
"Knowing that the supermarket puts more money into the pockets of the hardworking people who work here that comes back into our local community - that's really important to me," she said.
Woolworths New Zealand managing director Sally Copland said it had been a tough time for Nelson and the company was pleased to grow its presence in the region and create new jobs.
"Investing in New Zealand isn't just about our products, stores, price or convenience, it's also about the difference we can make in the communities where our millions of kiwi customers live and shop."
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