Rural communities are diverse
People living in our rural communities make up between 15% and 25% of New Zealand’s population.
Our rural communities are vital to the success of our food and fibre sector. There are around 360,000 people employed in the sector – that's one in 4 people employed in our regional centres who also support local businesses and services.
Rural communities range from settlements on the edges of urban centres to remote and isolated parts of New Zealand. They include:
- small towns that act as hubs for surrounding farming districts
- coastal and offshore island communities
- areas of long-standing cultural significance to Māori
- gateways to major recreation and tourism destinations.
These communities encompass diverse land uses and livelihoods, from lifestyle blocks and high-country stations to food and fibre production, processing, manufacturing, tourism, retail, and service industries.
Our rural communities are changing, with increases in the number of people choosing to live and work remotely.
Māori in our rural communities
Around one in 4 Māori live in rural areas and are a significant part of our rural communities, sustaining their economic and social wellbeing and contributing to the health of the environment.
Māori provide leadership on local issues, including during adverse events where facilities such as marae provide critical infrastructure and support.
A significant proportion of assets in the primary sectors are managed by Māori:
- 50% of the fishing quota
- 40% of forestry
- 30% in lamb production
- 30% in sheep and beef production
- 10% in dairy production
- 10% in kiwifruit production.
Opportunities that exist in rural communities
Many rural communities support and encourage social, cultural and economic wellbeing due to their:
- close-knit communities
- proximity to natural environments for recreational and kaitiaki purposes
- place-based resources available for economic activities.
In rural communities, you often find:
- a caring, supportive environment providing individual and collective resilience
- mental and physical health benefits from close access to the natural environment.
- creativity and kiwi innovation due to limited access to urban resources and services
- opportunities to care for and enhance the natural environment
- employment and economic opportunities linked to the natural environment.
Challenges for rural communities
Many rural communities share characteristics that provide barriers to their social, cultural, and economic wellbeing. For example:
- small population
- remoteness
- distance from essential services such as health, education, and transport
- dependence on the natural environment for employment and economic opportunities.
Common challenges resulting from these include:
- long travel distances
- social isolation
- difficulty attracting and retaining staff
- access to telecommunication services
- ageing or a lack of infrastructure
- declining employment and economic opportunities
- the impact of adverse events due to a changing climate.
The Office for Rural Communities helps government agencies ensure their policies address these challenges through our targeted advice and support, including our rural proofing education programme.
