Abstract
Small towns, otherwise commonly referred to as rural settlements, are often treated differently in research and policy terms from larger urban centres. Despite this, they are dynamic centres and their roles are evolving from that of just being rural service centres as a result of the multifunctional transition. Their traditional functions are being challenged by both local and national/ international processes, which can variously lead to either decline or rapid population growth in the contemporary small town. From a New Zealand planning perspective, greater understanding of the challenges and growth needs experienced by small towns is required. While growth may provide benefits in terms of sustaining future settlement vitality, rapid expansion can also bring out conflict regarding land-use, housing affordability, and community dynamics. These conflicts place an emphasis on the need to better understand, and ensure an alignment between planning interventions and small town community aspirations.
Using case studies of the towns of Hāwea, Glenorchy, and Kingston in the Queenstown Lakes District, this thesis employs an interpretative, mixed-methods approach to investigate the processes of growth, and the degree to which current planning intervention align with community aspirations. This research aims to contribute to the literature on New Zealand small town growth, and provide a set of recommendations that can facilitate the enhancement of the alignment between small town growth aspirations and planning intervention. Nineteen semi-structured key informant interviews, and seventy online questionnaire survey responses supported the achievement of the research aims.
This research has found that small town growth in the Queenstown Lakes District has been dually shaped by processes of amenity in-migration, and the wider growth pressures in the district resulting from the expansion of the urban centres of Queenstown and Wānaka. A lack of alignment between current planning interventions and community aspirations has been observed in the studied small towns, with the research highlighting criticisms over the influence which developers occupy in shaping growth, a lack of long-term strategic planning, and improper consultation processes, amongst negative perceptions held by small town residents. The findings from the research emphasise the need for improvements within the district policy framework, consultation and communication processes, and the empowerment of community leadership in response to growth needs and challenges. Seven key recommendations are provided, which can enable future growth management consistent with small town aspirations and also protect the unique values which make the small towns the special places they are today.