6.5 Social organisations and activities
There is considerable overlap with service organisations and activities, both in terms of provision and people. It was suggested that there are too many organisations. The question could be asked; whose needs are being met by having such a number and range of organisations? Some people are joiners, others not.
Social services - the DOC office in Mangaweka, because it has the NZ Post agency, serves as a gathering place for the community. Viv Eames, the Community Worker for the Rangitikei Rural Community Services (funded by Community Funding Agency), is a key person in the area, working with both rural and urban people in a practical hands-on way. Viv works at the frontline - listening, acting as a go-between for people and services, and networking. The work was begun in the late 1980s, early 90s by Sister Mary Dunn who moved round the area in a mobile campervan. The management committee have just rented premises in Taihape and have two part-time counsellors now working for them.
Churches are struggling. In Mangaweka there has been an amalgamation, of sorts, between the Presbyterians and the Catholic church. Boundaries, as with so many other boundaries such as local and national government ones, differ, so that rural areas south of Taihape are serviced by Taihape for one denomination or Hunterville another.
Dog trials are important rural social events as well as a chance to compete in the nationals. Men work the dogs and women serve the food throughout the day. However, people are finding it easier to get women to provide food but not stay around to do the work because of other time demands.
Sport figures highly too - for both town and country, but in 1996 one of the three rugby clubs in Taihape could not field a team because potential players said they had to work longer hours which precluded them from practice and playing. Tennis is important - there is winter tennis and Business Club tennis. Touch rugby, netball, bowls and croquet are said to be well patronised. The squash club, some say more social than squash, is a key venue, especially on Thursday nights; "we can hear our neighbours coming home on Friday morning as we are going to work". There is also a golf club and badminton. Children or adults who want to play hockey often have to travel further afield to get regular competition.
Rural and urban activities - there are some differences between rural and urban social activities, plus a much larger shared arena. In the country in the early days, stations were said to "be responsible for providing entertainment", but those days have passed. There are remnants perhaps, in duckshooting rituals - breakfasts and lunches and dinners for a select few, and in horse shows. Progressive dinners – "we were up till 3 or 4 in the morning" - have disappeared; balls too have mostly gone, except in places such as Omatane which also sports a road competition each year.
One person living in an urban area, said: "farm people are friendly towards you but they never invite you to their parties". The comment itself was illuminating. A number of farm families said they had no idea what it meant, if it had any significance. As a minimum it can serve to illustrate the ‘separation’ of the two communities. Another couple, living in a ‘town’, said "we no longer belong to their social calendar - they’ve moved out of our range". Previously this couple had socialised with a number of farming people.
There are a number of eating places in Taihape, catering mostly to travellers or farmers on Fridays. Several are on the market. Pubs have their regular clientele. The Otaihape Club is said to cater for lawyers, business people, farmers older than 40. One pub charges $10 a night for shepherds to stay over. The Cosmopolitan Working Mens Club is said to have been taken over by "the Maori brethren".
Stereotypes get in the way of people connecting. These can be town/country, Maori/ Pakeha, newcomer ie 15 years in the district in contrast with the old-timer; pensioners and single mums. One farm family suggested they would not like their children to stay overnight in an urban area some 6 kms from their home "because of the drugs and prostitution"; another said they went to a party in town and couldn’t understand the jokes "they were too much above us. Footrot Flats is our kind of humour". A motion to have women members at the Otaihape Club, [the Club in town] was defeated. "Next we’ll have women on the committee."
Class and culture concepts are not necessarily given these names but the notions are discussed. There was an acknowledgment of differences between classes in places such as Taihape and in rural districts. "The more that the owners are in the dirt dealing with the real stuff of farming and not just managing or directing from a distance - [the easier it is] - that division of class between the owners and workers is softening."
Class differences are alive, apparent, and noted, and sometimes activated, in the mid-Rangitikei.
There were several references to the social ‘clique-y-ness’ of certain rural families, and comment made about how people dressed or tried to impress so they were seen to belong to these groups.
"A core of them went to private boarding outfits... The A team kind of died its own death - some of these families have been affected financially - not as untouchable as they were - it’s to their credit that they have changed a bit."
There are distinctions made between Catholic and Protestant areas, and comments were made about how this has, especially in the past, had an impact on people being nominated or elected to certain positions. The local priest said that most Catholic farm families are well established. "They are very strong and supportive of one another. They’re hurting economically."
6.6 Local and national government issues
Perceptions of government - whether local or national - suffered from an accumulation of frustrations arising from the many changes, and their continuing impact.
Rangitikei District Council: There seems to be in terms of local government a ‘talking past each other’ because there is goodwill from ‘both sides’- both from the Mayor, Councillors and people living in the community. From a number of discussions it is apparent that they do not seem to be ‘connecting’.
I have the greatest admiration for the Rangitikei District Council. They deserve a medal for common sense dealings with extraordinary opportunities.
[in a cutout article - source and details not known]
The above complimentary comment was unusual. As noted earlier, people take for granted the positives in society, but when questioned use the opportunity ‘to have a moan’.
Many people expressed frustration with the Rangitikei District Council, complaining about:
- lack of concern and involvement in the mid-Rangitikei area
- sense of distance, depersonalisation of services
- increasing expenses when people had been led to believe that after local government legislative changes in 1989 it would be more economical because of scale. "Mangaweka got a really bad deal".
- lack of interest in tourism – "they are an agricultural economy focussed council"
- lack of involvement and ability to contribute to decisions, eg anger at the ‘rolls royce’ waste disposal unit in Mangaweka - said to have cost $80,000 plus
- lack of leadership, both local and at the top
- anger, real anger, about rates.
The rates issue: this is acknowledged by the Council as needing attention. Some years ago rates were changed from a land value system with 20 differential rates to a capital value system with no differential. This meant an increase for some, decrease for others, and many abnormalities such as houses on State Highway 1 paying rates of $700-800 but having no sewage, no rubbish collection, no water. "In drought conditions it’s $85 for 1200 gallons." Farmers joined en masse to protest the decision at the time, and further meetings have been held this year.
The Council is legally obliged to provide a civil defence service but we were told there is no such arrangement in places such as Mangaweka.
Responsibilities: there is also considerable confusion about boundaries, and the various responsibilities of the District Council vis-a-vis the Regional Council, and concern with the Community Boards. One person suggested, for instance, that the "tremendous amounts of money being spent on the Triangle and the Outback in Taihape" [ physical areas being made more attractive and user friendly for locals and passerbys] are misdirected. And angry about the fact "that people with no direct involvement in the town seem to have a tremendous amount of influence, say and pull. Locals often have to capitulate to outside influence".
There was anger too, at the excessive amount of bureaucracy involved in, for instance, in community activities. The example given was that of a tennis club wanting a working bee to build a shed. "This doesn’t happen any more because to make changes needed you have to have an engineer’s plan, an architect’s plan, approvals from the council, from OSH. There are inevitably lawyers around and this all costs immense amounts of money and everybody in charge is paid megabucks."
National Government: this was sometimes the target of anger and hostility about bureaucracy and the increasing demands made by the implementation of the Resource Management Act, ACC rules and regulations, and OSH.
Additional rules and regulations sit uncomfortably on the shoulders of people who are feeling somewhat vulnerable, and neglected. There was intense and unanimous agreement about the lack of governmental interest and involvement in the rural sector. "It’s hard for rural communities to know where they stand - they’re at the mercy of politicians." "Auckland people have the ear of government." "The government are not addressing the situation in rural areas - [it] doesn’t seem the least bit interested." "The rural voice has become less and less."
The RMA: this was said to be "a serious problem. It was never thought through in practical terms-it’s intolerable in rural areas". It is criticised because of perceptions of ‘pettiness’ and interference. Being told not to spray or build a shed near stands of bush is not necessarily appreciated - because of perceptions of ‘big brother’ tactics, or the lack of trust shown to farmers who, it is assumed, would protect such bush themselves.
DOC: there are serious problems with Old Mans Beard and other such weeds in the area so the Department of Conservation was seen, on the one hand, to be being ‘heavy handed’, on the other negligent, or inefficient.
The ACC: there was misunderstanding about ACC. Some had direct experience because of accidents, other ‘through the grapevine’. Anger was shown about the lack of understanding or knowledge by ACC of partnership on farms. For example: a farmer, male or female but seen as the ‘breadwinner’, is entitled to ACC in the event of an accident. His/her husband or wife, who is likely be necessary in terms of their work contribution - on the farm or in the home, is unlikely to be eligible because she/he is not a paid employee. This non, mis-understanding, with ACC regulations is indicative of a wider confusion about farming, especially when it is assumed to be the same as a small business. It is frequently called that, but few - farmers or decision makers - seem to follow through the implications of such a comparison.
OSH: farming is recognised as being a dangerous occupation and recognition was given to the measures OSH is trying to implement. In some instances they were seen as an additional burden, and there was much guffawing about people placing signs at their gate – ‘enter at own risk. One of the more sober comments made was "I agree things had to be done but they take it right to the edge which causes a lot of stress for farmers". Another person suggested that OSH has become the scapegoat: "OSH doesn’t mean the company or people - it’s come to symbolise the rules - we’ve got all these rules - everything’s gone overboard".
Another frustration was voiced by people being referred to "just as numbers - referred to by farm No 6391 - by Police, by ambulance services, by MAF".
Locality of service provision: serious concern was expressed about government services, or lack thereof, in the area. This had a number of facets. One was the confusion which arises from having departments, ministries servicing from such a wide variety of places. See diagram 6.1.
Diagram 6.3: Location of Government Services
This meant people cannot hop in the car and ‘go do their government business’ in, for instance, Wanganui, because other offices are located elsewhere. Most calls are toll calls.
Visits are made to Taihape on a regular basis by a number of departments which may or may not have an established office eg Justice. In February, it was said that "probation are pulling out". NZISS has an office which is used by other government departments as well. The Children and Young Persons Service is staffed both within Taihape and from Wanganui, personnel having different roles, but this can be confusing for the community. Referral to one often leads to referral on, and there are time delays. "Ask anyone in town if they can get help from here. I can see you in three weeks time."
Service coordination: there is real confusion about the rationale behind service provision. For instance; we were told that the "Child Adolescent and Families Service come once a fortnight. They will see children who are acting out but not if they come from dysfunctional families - [they] go to CYPS".
One family spelt out their origins of service. Their road is in the Manawatu Oroua District Council area where they pay rates; they have a Kimbolton Postal address, go through the Ohingaiti Telephone exchange though they are listed under Marton in the Wanganui phone book. Ohingaiti is now the nearest primary school [the one nearest to them closed some years ago]; Taihape College is 30 minutes away; NZISS is in Taihape, though their benefit is payable through Postbank which was at Hunterville. Their doctor used to be in Hunterville but he has just closed his doors. Their nearest pharmacy is in Marton.
The public libraries in the area - at Taihape, Hunterville and Mangaweka - are serviced from Marton
This is the negative side of the picture. The infrastructure of which government is a part is a necessary context for farming, but often taken for granted, except at election time or when things go wrong. There does appear to be a leadership vacuum in Taihape and surrounding areas, partly, one suspects, because government departments, businesses, farmers, families are so busy ‘doing their own thing’ there is a lack of coordination, except around an issue such as health.
A one-stop shop or coordination centre would provide a quick reference point. A person who could answer, or obtain answers to questions on the spot, proffer advice about governmental activities and locations, be available to diffuse some of the steam which can be caused by delays, non understanding.
Police: a police officer considered police are being used as a stop gap measure for other government agencies, and as a taxi service, for example, not only for escort duties in mental health situations but then leant upon - could you drive [this person] to another town which could mean a round journey in excess of 150 kms, or three hours out of the district. He suggested they are juggling things all the time. Not so urgent cases get put on hold. There is tension between departments, and the demands made. Sometimes they are ‘legal requirements, at other times these requests are said to cross such boundaries.
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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