Australian staff weren't so lucky as administrator Ferrier Hodgson announced 38 stores would close across the Tasman and 321 people were made redundant.
"While book retailing has been difficult for some Redgroup outlets in Australia, there is no present requirement for us to close any stores in New Zealand," said administrator Steve Sherman. "I think this is a reflection of the New Zealand community support of the Whitcoulls brand."
National Distribution Union general secretary Robert Reid, a member of the Whitcoulls creditors' committee, said he felt for Australian staff who lost their jobs.
"We are relieved however that administrators have honoured their pledge to staff, the union and its New Zealand creditors that it will endeavour to sell the Whitcoulls and Borders chains in New Zealand as a going concern.
"The announcement confirms the administrators' earlier statements that the New Zealad operation of Redgroup Retailis in better shape than the Australian operations."
Transtasman retailer Redgroup, owner of Whitcoulls, Borders, Angus & Robertson and Supanews chains, appointed administrators last month.
At creditors' meetings this week administrators said the company owed $21.5 million to unsecured creditors and $2.1m to employees on this side of the Tasman. The group owes A$118m in secured debt.
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