1. Executive Summary
During the 1980s Southland district experienced significant population and employment decline. The initiatives launched in response to this decline have stabilised the population and reversed the trend in employment. A multi-organisational approach has been used to achieve this. The district has seen positive growth in employment opportunities, across most industry categories.
Southland's economic development and population successes have been based on strong local government leadership, community self help, a major local source of financial backing, and the utilisation of the province's natural resources. There has been a relative absence of central government involvement. The key financing role has been taken on board by the Community Trust of Southland and other agencies.
Future opportunities exist for Southland's economic development and population stabilisation and/or growth. Central government's opportunity to participate in this is through:
- the removal of legislation that hinders sustainable economic development;
- the development of partnerships with local organisations to research and develop new initiatives,
- the simplification of the grant procedures,
- the development of regionally based contestable funds for economic development;
- the continued facilitation of sustainability issues.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of the initiatives taken by community groups, the local authority and central government to stimulate economic activity in the Southland district, and to maintain the area's population base at or above 1991 levels. The paper details the types of development undertaken, what factors have been behind these initiatives, who were the principal motivators, and how successful they have been in sustaining the district's economic base and population. The Southland district encompasses the rural hinterland of Southland and excludes the urban areas of Invercargill City and Gore district.
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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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