Philips Naenae "family" gathers for reunion

As with the motor companies in the Hutt Valley, the lifting of tariffs and imports from Asian countries killed off Philips, which in its latter years had switched to making PABX machines and data modems for NZ Post.

She recalls with particular fondness, the social side of working at the factory. Everyone who notched up 12 1/2 years' service at Philips got a special certificate and a party. Every year the tool room crew took off for a fishing trip to Marlborough. The bus would pull up outside the plant on a Friday, and everyone would wave as they pulled away, "first stop the Naenae Hotel for 'supplies'."