Transforming rural value chains in the 'Top of the South', New Zealand

Abstract

Exposure to risks and hazards—including earthquakes, floods, snowstorms, and the current and anticipated impacts of climate change—have significant implications for rural regions throughout New Zealand. Agriculture and tourism make a vital contribution to local economies, but are sensitive to disruption and can be slow to recover. The vulnerability of rural regions in the ‘Top of the South’ was highlighted during and after the 2016 Kaikoura-Marlborough-Hurunui earthquake, which coincided with the effects of drought in North Canterbury, and was followed by extreme weather in autumn 2017. Rural communities, producers and businesses faced immediate and longer-term logistical, economic, and social challenges caused by these events, including damage to critical infrastructure and lifelines, and supply chains. The cascading and compounding effects of disruption affected flows of agricultural products and tourists, necessitating flexible and adaptive response mechanisms. Drawing on insights from ongoing qualitative research in the region with wine producers, tourism stakeholders and sheep and beef farmers, we discuss empirical examples highlighting the distinctive dynamics of disaster response mechanisms and recovery trajectories. Results show emerging reorganisation and redesign of rural value chains, with implications for further transformation, driven by enhanced social capital, strengthening of key relationships and growing diversification.