Abstract
Over the past thirty years small towns worldwide have experienced periods of growth and contraction. Some towns have grown, whilst others have declined economically and demographically. This situation can be seen in New Zealand, with small towns being affected by economic and political restructuring and a fluctuating global economy. However, towns have not remained passive and have sought ways to stem decline.
Within this global context, small towns within Southland have faced periods of growth and contraction, due to the region’s unique situation, namely its export orientated economy, reliance on primary production and its relative marginalisation from markets. Consequently, some towns within Southland have experienced a loss of population, services and businesses. While others have remained static, or grown. The three towns involved in this study are reflective of this trend with, since the 1980s, Tuatapere, Riverton and Winton experiencing periods of growth and contraction. More specifically, Tuatapere is characteristic of a town in decline, losing businesses, services and residents. Conversely, whilst Winton and Riverton have experienced decline, they are now relatively economic and demographically stable. Within Southland the circumstances of the last thirty years led to the development of a planning framework which includes informal and formal planning agencies.
Through examining these towns, this thesis investigates whether or not the involvement of an informal planning agency, in this case Venture Southland and its community specific Concept Plans, is an effective way of planning for small towns and responding to decline. To do so, qualitative research, including 20 key informant interviews, an analysis of planning documents and a literature review, was undertaken. Through the critical evaluation of the gathered data, the importance of a collaborative planning response to small town decline involving informal and formal planning agencies is underlined. Furthermore, the need to maintain Venture Southland as a component of the planning framework for small towns in Southland was illustrated. Ways to enhance the effectiveness of this informal planning agency and the Concept Plans it produces were also developed. These recommended alterations included increased alignment between formal and informal planning documents and the development of a national vulnerability index for small towns.