Depopulation chronic in Gore - study
ALEX FENSOME
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Gore has been named as an area suffering from chronic depopulation in a new study from the University of Waikato.
Fourteen other districts have suffered continuing depopulation, with the study's authors calling it a permanent decline.
Professor Natalie Jackson said the Gore district's population had been stable for the past three years, but still showed a net loss from 2006 to 2010.
The 2006 census had recorded Gore's population falling to 12,108, 351 down from 2001's data.
The census split the town of Gore into five areas, with all but two – central and southern Gore – recording a decreased population.
Gore District's other main centre, Mataura, had its population fall by 177 – 10.2 per cent – in the five years to 2006.
Prof Jackson said while the loss of people had stabilised, it would take major developments for Gore to return to its 1996 population of 13,278.
The gender ratio in the district meant there was a man shortage around the age people tended to have children, Prof Jackson said.
While not everyone would partner up with someone from the same district, the gender imbalance did affect population, she said.
There was also a shortage of younger women, aged up to 25, which had the same effect.
However, regional authorities have dismissed the research.
Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said he had no worries about the future where population was concerned.
The academics' concerns did not tally with his own experience and feelings about the area.
"I think while there are challenges, there are also really good opportunities into the future."
Young people moving away after completing education was a concern, but one shared by many rural areas across the country, he said.
"I've certainly noticed quite a few people that have grown up [in Gore] actually returning and moving into jobs."
Growth in the agricultural sector, as well as Solid Energy's lignite plans, would provide more opportunities for people to stay, he said.
Prof Jackson said those potential developments had not been taken into account in the study and Gore could already be seeing the benefit.
Venture Southland enterprise services manager Alistair Adam shared Mr Hicks' scepticism.
"Not so long ago the same argument was used about Invercargill," he said. "But innovative thinking projects like SIT (zero fees) and the like have seen stabilisation of the population."
The study said the only other district in the South Island that was in decline was Waitaki.
Twelve North Island districts and the Chatham Islands were also listed. alex.fensome@stl.co.nz
- © Fairfax NZ News
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In MHOP "sighaz" # 3 10.13 pm Jan 29tth 2012, has hit the nail on the head. At the meeting on 25/1/12 the CE of the Gore District would not admit he,and not the Statistics Department had made the mistake re The Gore Districts population figures. Reminds me of that old saying "It is a poor workman that blames his tools" Perhaps he chose the wrong subject to study at University. What is even more depressing is that the Mayor and the six councillors did not make any effort to clarify the situation.
1. The population in the Gore District has stabilised. As at 30/06/2011 the estimated population is the same as 12 months ago.
2. The Chief Executive and his Mayor do not have their fingers on the pulse.
3. They were not at all concerned three months ago, with the erroneous number of people put in their ‘comprehensive’ representation review, put out to the public for consultation. (Mr Parry the CE misinterpreted the Resident population 11,550 when the actual was 12,300).
4. A competent Chief Executive and a responsible Mayor would have known that something was wrong with the data.
5. Actually there was nothing wrong.
6. Unprofessionally the Chief Executive tried to lay the blame on the Department of Statistics for his carelessness. “The Department of Statistics is not renowned as being optimistic in its population projections for the Gore District.
7. What is wrong with the Gore District is the waste of resources in having one of the smallest Councils in New Zealand. After all, the job the Chief Executive does, is basically that of a manager. His exorbitant salary is a disgrace!
8. Simon Parkhill would do well to do a little research at http://io9.com/5863666/why-inbreeding-really-isnt-as-bad-as-you-think-it-is
9. Yes Gore is not a Europe or an Auckland and thank goodness for that!
nz is stuffed
Not surprised by the Statitics, Very Depressing Place.There is nothing for young people to do,expect drink Booze and Drive round in "Old School" Cars.
Not to mention the "In breed" Culture
Something to do with councils regional/city development going in the wrong direction.....again.
Most small towns in NZ are terribly boring compared to the towns in Europe. Why anyone lives in those places is beyond me.
I have been through Gore numerous times.
As with many places in NZ, the question arises"why would you live here?" whenever I drive through. I travel around a lot and often pass places where I simply cannot imagine how dull life must be growing up in such a place.
I suspect that within 100 years, 80% of our population will live in Auckland because it is the only place that will get the investment in infrastructure for the digital world we now live in and life will be simply too difficult without being fully on the Digital Highway.
Chch is done - it will never recover fully - and Wellington will fade for a number of reasons, not the least of which will be that eventually Auckland will become the actual capital and not merely the de facto capital.
And no - I do not live in Auckland!
The numbers speak for themselves. Despite what Tracy Hicks says, there is little to keep young people in Gore. The drift north and across the Tasman has been a trend recorded for decades and it is unlikely that this will change. Right now, Invercargill City is right on the cusp of being a "city" as defined by population numbers. I would suggest that students coming into the area for the free fees offered by SIT is stopping the city from dropping right away. I would hate to think what the loss of the aluminium smelter would do.
Publicise your strong points otherwise, you’ll become another Nightcaps.
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#1,2,6,7,9,10 = pompous gits. I don't live there but Gore is a beautiful wee rural town with plenty going for it aestetically and culturally. You must think you're terribly clever because you watched Havoc back in the 90s ~lulz Gay Gore~ clap clap. But unlike wherever town you're all from (I'm guessing it's "up North"), Gore-ites or Goreons ~har har lulz~ are some of the nicest, friendliest people in heartland NZ. Grow up.