Supporting regional settlements
Mike Mackay; Harvey Perkins
Abstract – Tuhinga Whakarāpopoto
A national conversation is in progress about the strength and integrity of regional settlements in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is influenced by characterisations of small settlements as zombie towns and is framed by questions about how to reboot struggling regions. Driving the conversation is a set of mainly economic and demographic issues linked to quantitative evidence of declining and ageing populations and challenging economic circumstances. In response, Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities has the objective of building a better understanding of the lived experience of regional and small town New Zealand. Its mission is to also support local efforts to make these places more attractive to live, visit, work and do business in.
Other reports associated with this research
Campbell, M., Taylor, N. & Mackay, M. (2020). Waitaki short and long-term rental accommodation. Working paper 20-08b for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Thriving Regions, 14pgs. Christchurch: AgResearch/BBHTC.
Mackay, M. & Taylor, N. (2019). Assessing the impacts of a new cycle trail: A fieldnote. Impact Connector #8, December 2019, NZAIA.
Mackay, M., Taylor, N. & Perkins, H. (2018). Planning for regeneration in the town of Oamaru. Lincoln Planning Review, 9, 1-2 (2018), pgs 20-32.
Taylor, N., Mackay, M. & Russell, K. (2020). Searching for community wellbeing: population, work and housing in the town of Oamaru. Working paper 20-08a for Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Thriving Regions, 36pgs. Christchurch: AgResearch/BBHTC.
Articles associated with this research – Karere Tūhono
News: Social impacts of cycle trails on small towns and settlements
27 August 2020: Prior to the Covid-19 lockdowns, Building Better researchers, Dr Mike Mackay, a Senior Social Scientist at AgResearch, Dr Nick Taylor, Nick Taylor and Associates, and Emeritus Prof Harvey Perkins, People and Places, assessed the impacts of the South Island’s Alps to Ocean (A2O) cycle-trail. The study focussed on the sustainability of tourist trails and how associated tourism initiatives were working together to improve the economic, social, and environmental performance of the town of Oamaru and settlements in the Waitaki Valley. >> Read More
News: The price of Airbnb: The impact on long-term rental availability in Waitaki
8 September 2020: Airbnb short-term rental accommodations have been sprouting like weeds in response to regional initiatives attracting people to New Zealand’s Deep South. This includes both in and around the town of Oamaru and in the small towns and villages up the Waitaki Valley that benefit from the flow of visitors by road and bicycle from the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail. >> Read More
News: Searching for community wellbeing in Oamaru
5 October 2020: Regions around New Zealand are striving to create positive futures. To do so, the issues that need to be considered are wide and varying and include the future of work in rural areas and provincial towns, the supply of workers, demographic changes, and the supply of suitable housing and social services. >> Read More
Case study: Supporting regional settlements
15 August 2017: A national conversation is in progress about the strength and integrity of regional settlements in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is influenced by characterisations of small settlements as zombie towns and is framed by questions about how to reboot struggling regions. Driving the conversation is a set of mainly economic and demographic issues linked to quantitative evidence of declining and ageing populations and challenging economic circumstances. >> Read More
Keywords – Kupu Hāngai
Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton, Waitaki District, economic recovery, regional development, second tier cities, planning, regeneration, infrastructure, economics, planning, community development, population demographics
Fields of Research – Āpure Rangahau
Geography; Regional Development; Regional Planning; Population Demographics
Date – Te Wā Whakarewa
2017-06
Type – Te Auaha
Article
Collections – Kohinga Kaupapa
Citation – Kupu Hautoa
Mackay, M. & Perkins, H. (2017). Supporting regional settlements, Build 160, June/July 2017, pp 66-67, BRANZ.
