Fears for the regional ripple effects - with another manufacturing business reducing its operations

Oji Fibre Solutions is proposing to close paper operations at Tokoroa's Kinleith mill next year - which could cost about 230 people their jobs.

Employers and Manufacturing Association advocacy head Alan McDonald says these recent large-scale layoffs are hitting regions hard.

He says they tend to be big employers supporting the towns they're in - which makes re-employing workers in other areas difficult.

McDonald says other local businesses that make their money supporting the mill will also be affected.