No help from the government for hundreds of workers at Dunedin's Cadbury chocolate factory.

The factory has been operating for almost 150 years, but owner Mondelez International told staff last month of a proposal to shut its doors and move jobs to Melbourne.

Bill English said it's difficult territory for a government to get into, but wishes them well in finding alternative employment.

"Dunedin is going pretty well, it's tough for those workers, a lot of them have worked there for decades, so [it's] a big wrench for them. And they've made real efforts to make that factory work."