Closed borders had also made viewing the mill difficult. ‘’Overseas interest in something like this is understandably high due to the nature of the assets. Covid-19 restrictions have certainly affected interested international parties who would want to see things first hand.’' While declining newsprint demand is one of Tasman’s biggest issues, the mill has joined others in the industry in speaking out about high energy costs. Whakatāne’s general manager Juha Verajankorva has been highly critical of New Zealand power prices, saying they are '’a definite handicap’’ compared to other countries it is up against. Grahame Cox/Stuff