Regional and horticultural development planning in Canterbury : a review

Abstract

The horticultural sector in the Canterbury region appears to be moving, from a period of slow growth when it was oriented largely to domestic markets, to a period of accelerated growth associated with the development of export fruit crops.

Horticulture is a labour intensive industry and, with high levels of unemployment being experienced in Canterbury, development of export horticulture is perceived as a desirable component of a Canterbury regional development strategy.

This study examines development issues and concepts, and formulates an interim approach to development planning for the Canterbury horticultural sector. The suggested approach is an informal regional sectoral coalition of the public and private elements of the horticultural sector in Canterbury. This coalition would supervise the formulation of an adaptive strategy for dealing with common problems.

The united Council does not have the resources to prepare detailed studies of all development options. Therefore, by taking part in such a development planning coalition as a short-term task oriented exercise, the United Council would then be in a better position to formulate an effective regional approach to horticultural development in Canterbury.