Taking action to resolve rural challenges
Changes affecting marketing of products and the rural way of life have
meant additional challenges for New Zealand farmers and their families
ever
since Britain entered the Common Market in 1973. When the Labour
Government removed subsidies from agricultural products in 1985 and
greatly increased interest rates on loans for rural development these
changes caused further problems for those earning their living from
the
land.
Anything that affects the farmers affects those who service the rural
communities. Businesses including banks have closed, there has been
little chance of employment for the young in the country areas, and
health
services have been cut.
In recent years many farmers in Poverty Bay, Marlborough, Canterbury
and North Otago have been hard hit by serious droughts.
New Zealand's country people have fought back. Farmers have
diversified
into new crops. Women have taken jobs in nearby towns to help the
finances. Families have developed businesses in the tourism areas
with
farmstays, walkways, and catering services.
Canterbury Rural Development Summit
The Canterbury Development Corporation held a Rural Development Summit
on
19 May this year to give country and town people a chance to work in
partnership to resolve some of the rural challenges and take better
control
of their situation.
What did participants rate as the key challenges facing rural
people?
What new initiatives are planned?
1. Developing leadership and vision
Communication
The key area of communication was seen as vital. Participants felt
that
a number of problems could be eased by improved communication among
rural
groups and individuals and between rural interests, rural investors,
Crown
Research Institutes and local/regional government.
If rural groups know about the research that is conducted in their
area
they can make better decisions about what to do with their land. It
has
been identified that one of the biggest problems facing people who
want to
grow new crops is the lack of information.
The stresses experienced by hard hit rural people means that there is
a
great need for positive communication which brings urban and rural
people
together in partnership, empowers communities and improves the chance
of
better informed, more rational decisions.
People who feel that their way of life is under threat are likely to
cling
to deeply rooted attitudes, and good communication is important if
attitudes are to change and barriers resulting from traditional
concepts
are to give way to new leadership.
Collaboration
Where the onset of massive changes has left communities fragmented the
message must be that co-operation is not a threat. Resources need to
be
identified and used to best effect - most likely to be achieved by a
community with a common vision for the future based on its competitive
advantage.
A raft of activities, attractions and initiatives are underway in the
Ashburton, Geraldine, Fairlie and Twizel communities to ensure they
encourage some of the visitors that travel through the Mid South
Canterbury
visitor corridor to stay. These communities analysed their strengths,
weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
Coming together to combine strengths and overcome weaknesses, they
were
able to develop a tourism package for visitors such as "Off the Beaten
Track," as well as organise training for local operators. Working
together
they are able to promote their strengths collectively and share costs
without feeling threatened. They all have attractions to fit the
theme
"Off the Beaten Track."
Regional branding and local product development, such as defining
Canterbury as the Tuscany of the South, can bring a sustainable
competitive
advantage, promoting the key needs - growth, jobs, quality of life and
more
services in rural areas. Such an image can portray Canterbury as
unique,
accessible, holistic and fresh, clean and green, and free of
genetically
modified products.
Future initiatives
In partnership with community groups already working on the ground,
participants requested that the CDC:
* establish district focus groups which may organise leadership
training and encourage the sharing of ideas
* give support for networking and shared expertise.
2. Water availability
Recent droughts have made farmers ever more painfully aware of the
need for
water. Lack of water limits the potential of land resources and crop
production is less reliable. Irrigation is the key to Canterbury's
diversification, profitability, succession, and rural employment.
Efficient
use of water can ensure availability for all in Canterbury at an
affordable
price. This must be a shared responsibility.
Some groups have already shown the way. In North Canterbury,
Waimakariri
Irrigation Ltd has been established to design an irrigation scheme
involving 250 farmers and covering 11 000 hectares. It is expected
that
300 more jobs will be created in the first year and that the area will
be
converted to sustainable farming as a result.
Future initiatives
The Canterbury Regional Council and District Councils need to organise
research into irrigation - needs and benefits, the effective use of
the
water resource and a strategy to unite all the groups involved in
working
for irrigation schemes, large and small. It is interesting to note
that
such an initiative involving the Selwyn District Council is soon to be
investigated.
3. Developing an infrastructure for the twenty first
century
Systems must be developed for getting new products to new markets,
perhaps
utilising electronic commerce. Focus groups of key people must work
together to determine goals, empower the people with the needed skills
and
identify investment opportunities and resources.
The potential of the rural/urban interface must be maximised.
Subdivision
attracts new community members, but the lack of transport systems
limits
the development of commuter communities.
Future initiatives
Telephone lines for modern technology and communications must be
upgraded
in rural areas as this brings the ability to do business from
anywhere. To
exploit these services more fully, rural communities could set up
telecentres and network personal computers.
The community, providers and central government all need to support
improved transport, communication and information systems.
4. Equitable access to services in rural areas
Rural people have felt seriously disadvantaged as their access to
essential
services such as health and education has been eroded. Tradespeople
have
moved out of rural areas because of the decline in population.
New initiatives
There is an urgent need for communities to act together to establish
an
economic base which will retain local services.
Innovative approaches are needed to get services to people and people
to
services, using mobile phones, the Internet, and part-time services
from
key people and organisations.
For people to be able to access these services they need to be
trained.
Helplines on computers and telephones would solve some of their
difficulties.
The recent trend towards the establishment of call centres in areas
that
have cheaper operational costs must provide opportunities for rural
communities.
5. Making legislation work
The Resource Management Act has been welcomed for its aims and
successes,
but many of the processes needed to abide by its restrictions are
viewed as
cumbersome and are undoubtedly time consuming. Participants want to
see
these streamlined.
They felt the need for a regional forum of local government and
believed
that more pro-active leadership and the integration of the Canterbury
Regional Council and District Councils would ease resource consents
for
irrigation and alternative land use.
New initiatives
Education of rural land users, training of councillors and staff, and
improved communication are to be promoted, especially through the
focus
groups.
You may wish to read
Part 2 in this series.
