8.4 Further research
Sustainability: the holistic nature of sustainability, and the changing dynamic, or interdependence of the dimensions - economic, environmental, social, political, and spiritual needs to be acknowledged. Any research done in future needs to incorporate the ‘people’ aspect of sustainability as a core premise.
Farming in context and in transition: Further research should be done using these twin concepts for a base. Farming needs to be considered as farming in context; and it needs to be recognised that farming is in transition, and transition is causing much uncertainty.
SWOT analysis: it would also be advantageous for a SWOT analysis to be undertaken in this area and in other communities, to specifically identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to sustainability.
Some of these have been identified: the strength of community spirit which enabled the Taihape Rural Health Centre to be successful; weaknesses such as those caused by antiquated telecommunications; opportunities such as those developing through Rangitikei Tourism and Ruapehu REAP; and the threats of further withdrawal of access to loans and a developing sense of inflexibility in the banking system.
Social indicators: the further development and instalation of social indicators is needed, so that areas such as the mid-Rangitikei can be monitored, and preferably do their own monitoring, on an ongoing basis. [ see Gilling (1996) and Pomeroy (1997 b) for development of these ideas]
Focus community: the notion of focus farms has been in operation for a number of years. Using the mid-Rangitikei as a focus community, particularly in comparison [ the notion of comparison was a basic premise in the design of this project. Unfortunately it was not resourced.] to Balclutha which has undertaken a self-assessment project along these lines, would be one way of building on the research already done in the area, and moving this from a research project to an operational data creating project. It would also, perhaps, provide the momentum for community action.
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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