Part 5: The Present – Farm Families
5.1 Introduction
The focus in this study was not on the gathering of ‘hard data’. No statistics are available [June 1997] for this particular area on family size, shape, migration, or on the demographic picture generally. [ Jillian de Beer, consultant, was employed in this period by the Rangitikei District Council. She explored this aspect in more detail and her report will give demographic figures for the whole of the Rangitikei dating from the last census plus council statistics] What is known is that the area is large and the population small.
Data available to date from the 1996 census show that Taihape and Hunterville have lost population since 1986, Mangaweka has increased, to the astonishment of some of its citizens.
| Usually resident population | 1986 | 1991 | 1996 | % 1986-96 | |
| Hunterville | 510 | 508 | 453 | - 11.2% | |
| Mangaweka | 175 | 175 | 209 | + 19.4% | |
| Taihape | 2491 | 2116 | 2005 | - 19.5% |
There are said to be 352 people over the age of 65 living in Taihape [February 1997] but details about age structures, marriage relationships were impossible to locate, given the arbitrary boundaries drawn for this research.
The mid-Rangitikei, like most rural regions, loses its young to the urban centres, particularly Wanganui and Palmerston North, for secondary and tertiary education, and young people go in search of jobs. "Taihape exports all it’s [young] talent." There has been some inflow of urban people to the town in search of cheaper rentals, but this has not been marked. There continues to be a small transient population, particularly in areas such as Ohingaiti, Utiku, and Taihape.
The tremendous changes in the 1980s have shaken many of the farm families we interviewed, yet there are a number of factors which remain ‘constant’.
5.2 Factors remaining constant
We wanted to know if farm families think their standard of living is changing, if family relationships, patterns of employment, the basis of decision-making is changing. We also wanted to learn what had remained stable.
Many of the points made in the following list will be discussed at a later stage. In summary, the constants are:
- the image of the farmer as male remains dominant in this area. Farmers who are women are described as that - a woman farmer. Wives working on the farm (particularly those who work outside agriculture) are described as a farmer’s wife, and are seen as ‘helping’
- few women interviewed are equal partners in the farm in a legal or business sense
- inside the house and yard is still seen as ‘her’ area, outside is seen as ‘his’
- preschool children are likely to be taken onto the farm by parents when they are working
- most children of secondary age are sent to boarding school - or that is seen as desirable
- help is available from neighbours - more so in some areas than others
- inflated land values at purchase time means debt servicing remains a burden for many
- stereotypes of farmers and farm families persist in the town areas in the mid-Rangitikei, such as "show me a farmer who hasn’t had an overseas holiday - they moan about working so hard but they still play tennis midweek".
- there are many organisations in urban areas which farm people are involved in, despite comment about community burnout
- sport remains important for farm people
- drinking to excess remains a problem.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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