Dorothy – 18/6/99
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.
