Economist explores rural resilience in Balclutha and Tokoroa
Monday 28 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Shamubeel Eaqub
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub has visited Balclutha and Tokoroa to examine changing trends in small regional towns. The investigation looks at how these communities are demonstrating resilience despite previously depressing financial indicators for heartland New Zealand.
Key facts
4 facts
- Tokoroa's average incomes are currently 15 per cent below the national average.
- Balclutha has grown for the last decade after three decades of hollowing out.
- Tokoroa is currently experiencing forestry mill closures.
- Bryan Cadogan served as Clutha mayor for 15 years until last year.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
Economist Shamubeel Eaqub has visited Balclutha and Tokoroa to investigate how struggling regional towns are showing resilience. While Tokoroa is currently experiencing forestry mill closures, Balclutha has grown for the past decade after thirty years of hollowing out.
In the 1970s, Tokoroa's average incomes were 40 per cent above the national average, but they are now 15 per cent below. Balclutha experienced growth in the 1970s before hollowing out from the mid-1980s.
Former Clutha mayor Bryan Cadogan stated that the district was gutted by Rogernomics 40 years ago, saying, "It was brutal, and it happened fast". He noted that family farms were lost during that period.
The investigation follows Eaqub's previous description of Whanganui as a "zombie town" a decade ago. While Whanganui has since grown, not every provincial town has seen similar success.
Compiled from reports by Stuff and NZ Herald.