Woolworths Proposes Offshoring 130 New Zealand Support Jobs

Woolworths announced a proposal on September 1, 2026, to close its New Zealand Customer Care Centre and offshore approximately 130 customer support jobs to its existing operations in Sydney, Australia. The company describes the move as a cost-saving measure intended to net an additional $4.1 million by the 2029 financial year. Consultation on the plan is currently underway, with a deadline for staff feedback set for September 15.

The proposal comes as Woolworths New Zealand reported annual sales of $8.49 billion and earnings before interest and tax of $163 million for the year ending June 2026. The company stated its primary focus is supporting affected team members and ensuring customers are not impacted while it considers the integration of its customer care operations.

The Workers First union condemned the move as corporate greed, arguing that the company is prioritizing profit over people. Union representatives noted that many affected employees are sole parents working remotely who may struggle to find comparable local employment. The union further claimed that New Zealand customers will suffer from a loss of local knowledge in customer service and questioned the necessity of the cuts given the company's recent $400 million investment in store refreshes.