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Regional centers, famous as zombie cities, are weathering the Covid-19 crisis well due to the rural economy and extremely low number of cases.
Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke says sales in a council subdivision are proof the town is alive and well Source: RNZ / Robin Martin
By Robin Martin of rnz.co.nz
They are also getting a breath of new life through the hundreds of millions of dollars that the Government distributes through the Provincial Growth Fund and out-of-the-box investments.
RNZ Taranaki / Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has visited some local examples.
Taking a stroll down Hawera’s High Street isn’t a quick activity for first-term Mayor Phil Nixon.
The locals stop him every few meters, eager to stop and speak. And there is a lot to talk about.
The South Taranaki District Council recently received about $ 30 million for ready-to-use projects, including $ 3 million for its new $ 11 million civic center: Te Ramanui or Ruapūtahanga.
Named after the legendary wāhine toa of the region who lit beacons or fire signals to bring ngā iwi Taranaki together and share ideas.
Nixon said the development, which spans nearly an entire block, would transform downtown.
“So in that corner we are going to have a bit of an open area and then to the left where we are looking there will be a cafe, further down this side will be the iSite.
“And then the library, the Lysaght Watt Gallery, a children’s section at the other end, and a little parking lot.”
But the good citizens of Hawera are divided on the merits of the center.
Regent St gift shop co-owner Maple and Wild Amy Byers couldn’t wait for work to finally get started.
“I’m excited about it. I’ve been waiting a long time. It will be nice to have a little more action on this street. It’s a bit lonely here.”
An artist’s impression of Te Ramanui or Ruapūtahanga – Hawera’s new $ 11 million civic center Source: RNZ / South Taranaki District Council
Jenny Meechin was a fan. “I think it’s an absolutely wonderful idea and it’s going to lift the city center to no end.”
But Julia and Gib Baxter weren’t thrilled. Julia thought it wouldn’t do much to attract business to town.
“At the moment I don’t think money should be invested in that, not really. The city is slowly closing down. It used to be a good city, a prosperous city. You were proud to live in it.”
While Nixon certainly hoped the civic center would revitalize Main Street, with two giant Fonterra floors nearby, he scoffed at the idea of Hawera being a zombie city.
“Covid-19 has made us rethink a bit. How we do things and what we do. And when it comes to these small towns, we can’t find houses to buy or rent, which is really good for me.
“And we are seeing a lot of people coming here from the cities and especially from Auckland.”
Mayor of Stratford targets Aquatic Center, subdivision
You won’t find any arguments about it from Stratford Mayor Neil Volzke, even though the rejuvenation of his civic center suffered a setback after a private developer went cold.
Stratford has had its own windfall with an $ 8 million boost to its $ 23 million aquatic center project and was already seeing the benefits of PGF’s investment in State Highway 43.
But Volzke was most excited about a council-owned subdivision that had defied the predictions of private property developers.
“We just finished developing them and in less than 12 months today’s figures were 20 sold, nine under contract and four under negotiation, so you know they are almost sold.”
Volzke said that was proof enough that Stratford was alive and well.
“Yeah, well, not all Auckland savvy economists get it right when they call small towns like us zombie towns.
“We have proved him wrong. We are on a growth path and things are constantly improving and we are doing well.”
And at the All Seams upholstery boutique, Marie Elliot said business was doing well and Stratford was on an upward curve.
“It was kind of a zombie city about 10 or 20 years ago, but it’s definitely growing, Stratford. It was waiting to be rediscovered I guess, and it is.”
Another local, Billy, considered one person’s zombie city to be another’s paradise.
“I grew up here and didn’t think it was a zombie town. It’s what you do with it, right? You know, Opunake didn’t like it there either, but for me it’s a good retirement town. If you like fishing and boating So you know Stratford is good. “
The economist can see the positives
Even the economist Shamubeel Eaqub, who coined the term zombie cities in 2014, admitted that Covid-19 was showing how resilient regional cities were.
“Interestingly, I think it is going to be very positive for the provincial centers, so much of the impact on businesses, employment and income is really around those urban centers and those places that are very dependent on tourism.”
“For most provincial centers, life is pretty much normal, so in many ways I think our regional economies are better off in this current pandemic than in other recessions.”
Eaqub said he hoped regional economies would resist food exports and that there would be renewed interest in living in the provinces.
