The Finance Minister's hoping the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter doesn't shut down

Owner Rio Tinto says it's been haemorrhaging money and is considering three options for the plant at Bluff, including closing.

The National Government bailed out the smelter with 30 million dollars in 2013.

Grant Robertson says pulling the plug would be a shame for the industry.

Tiwai is the province's biggest employer by far - with about 3500 people depending on it.