1- Introduction
This paper sets out a further analysis of data collected by the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit for a major study which is focussing on migration from urban centres to minor urban and rural areas in New Zealand [see Waldegrave and Stuart 1997a, 1997b]. The project has reached a scale that means it now has a wealth of information about a particular rural population ('recent' urban migrants to smaller towns and rural areas), and indeed represents one of the largest pieces of independent social research that has been carried out in rural New Zealand.
As such, the research represents a source of information about rural communities in general, and consequently the Ministry of Agriculture has requested (and funded) further analysis of the data, with particular reference to family dynamics and the social sustainability of rural towns. We recognise that there are difficulties in applying data collected for the purposes of answering one research question to another, even though the two are related. The results and analysis in this paper are therefore necessarily constrained to the exploratory and indicative. However, we also consider that such work can provide some useful indications of how households and families are changing, and what things they are perceiving as positive and negative aspects of life, after moving from urban areas to smaller towns arid rural areas.
The paper begins by setting out some background to the original research project and the rationale behind it. Results from the further analysis are then presented and discussed. This is followed by discussion of some of the issues raised with regard to the implications for rural families and communities, but we reiterate that this discussion is based on an initial and partial analysis, and as such should be regarded as indicating potential issues, rather than definite findings.
1.1. Background
The underlying hypothesis of the research is that there has been an increase in the movement of low income and beneficiary households from urban areas to peripheral towns and rural areas, as a result of the programme of social policy reforms introduced from 1991 on. This hypothesis was conceived in response to a combination of circumstantial and anecdotal evidence which we at the Family Centre came into contact with. [This evidence included newspaper reports of empty State and private rentals in Wellington, especially Porirua (Evening Post 28/9/95, Sunday Star Times 13/3/94), social service agency reports in rural areas and urban areas reporting such movement (Brooks 1993, Smiley et.al 1989. Waldegrave and Sawrey 1993) and our own experience as an organisation working with low income households in Lower Hutt. A potential for an increased low income movement to rural areas has also been identified by the studies of housing stress (Keams et al 1991 Kearns et al 1992), rural population issues (Davey and Kearns 1994, Kearns and Rankin 1994. Pomeroy 1992) and Maori Population and housing issues (Bathgate 1987, Douglas 1986).]
The research is based on a series of surveys. These involve visiting all households in selected towns in a given region, and asking people whether they had moved from an urban area, since 985. After every household in these towns has been visited, the survey population of in-migrants is generated. Thus, the survey is derived from a census of the towns, rather than from randomised or representative sampling. Survey fieldwork in this project has so far been carried out in the Southern Wairarapa, Northern Waikato-Coromandel and the South Island (West Coast, and North of Chris [church), and is currently underway in the Kapiti/Horowhenua region.
1.2. Focus at the New Analysis
Rural communities have undergone dramatic and fundamental change since the major processes of reform which began in the mid 1980's. The impacts of these reforms and of other changes in the economic and social context of rural New Zealand, on rural communities have been discussed by a number of commentators (Fairweather 1989, Martin 1995, Press and Newell 1994, Sandrey and Reynolds 1990). These studies illustrate the hardship which individuals, families and communities are facing throughout the 'rural downturn'.
Pomeroy (1997) provides an overview of many of the factors involved in change in rural New Zealand, with a particular emphasis on strategies which may be employed to support such communities to adjust to new environments. She notes the need for rural communities to become innovative in their strategies to develop economic growth and prosperity, and comments that change within communities needs to be managed and informed by a knowledge of what is happening among different communities
- the ultimate success of rural communities may well depend on how much attention these communities direct towards managing the social component of community' and family life, and towards addressing social processes in realising economic opportunities. (p 14)
The analysis presented here takes this need for knowledge of the social component of communities as a starting point. The surveys undertaken represent a significant database of information about a particular rural population, and as such can help inform discussion and decision making about the impact of population change and major policy reform on rural areas, particularly those within range of large metropolitan centres.
We have therefore revisited the responses to questions that may provide some indication of issues of family dynamics arid social sustainability within this specific rural population. In particular we will set out changes in household composition and income, particular advantages and disadvantages different groups see in living in rural areas, as opposed to urban areas, and comparisons of affordability and accessibility of essential items for different groups in the migrant population. [However, we should also make clear that there are limitations in the data set. Given the focus of the research question, the information about rural families and communities generated is specific to certain populations, and there are several factors which influence the nature of the results provided by participants, compared to the 'general' rural/small town population. These include: most of the households surveyed are 'peripheral' (within relative geographical proximity) to major urban 'core' centres - Wellington, Auckland/Hamilton, and Christchurch; Most towns surveyed were of sufficient size to be officially defined as 'minor urban' or 'rural centre' rather than rural area units; and the target population included only those who had moved to the towns from an urban area (as defined by Statistics New Zealand) since 1985.]
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Sector Performance Policy
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