Trovon's collapse leaves New Zealand workers unpaid and struggling

Employees of Trovon's New Zealand branch are facing financial hardship after the company's collapse left them unpaid for weeks. The Sydney-based administrators handling the wind-up have told staff they cannot recover outstanding wages, blaming legal complications tied to the New Zealand operation.

The situation has left some workers struggling to cover basic expenses, with one forced to take night shifts to support a newborn child.

Trovon, a supplier of components for HVAC systems, air compressors, and brake units for Wellington's Matangi trains, was acquired by Malaysian firm Destini for AU$100 million (NZ$118 million) in December 2024. As part of the deal, Destini took on AU$3.2 million (NZ$3.8 million) of Trovon's debt. Since then, Destini has reported stronger financial performance, with a 15% revenue rise to MYR 450 million in FY2025, driven by synergies in aerospace and engineering. The company also secured a MYR 200 million contract in early 2026.

Despite this, Trovon's New Zealand arm—still a registered company—has left its 10 employees without pay. Quality assurance engineer Navid Pour has gone two months without wages, while mechanical engineer Baljeet Singh is owed four weeks' salary and a month's annual leave. Some staff are missing thousands of dollars in unpaid entitlements.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) confirmed it could not intervene, as Trovon holds no assets in New Zealand. Meanwhile, the locks on the Upper Hutt workshop have been changed, cutting off access for former employees.

The collapse of Trovon's Australian operations has left its New Zealand staff in limbo, with no clear path to recovering lost wages. Administrators have ruled out news, and government support remains unavailable due to the company's lack of local assets. The financial strain has forced some workers into additional jobs just to meet living costs.