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Zombie Towns: Everything I Missed

Zombie Towns: Everything I Missed

RNZ

Economist Shamubeel ‘zombie towns’ Eaqub travels to Balclutha and Tokoroa to find out what’s really going on in heartland New Zealand, analysing how struggling communities regain their financial mojo.

8 - Tokoroa (Part 3)
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  • 8 - Tokoroa (Part 3)

    In this final episode, Shamubeel brings together all the things he learned about how struggling towns can get their mojo back. That involves 'playing to your strengths' - often the things a small town has that big cities lack - but also something that economists don't normally measure: community, self-reliance and a can-do attitude.

    In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:

    Eva Hakansson - business innovator who relocated to Tokoroa from Auckland because costs were cheaperBill - husband of Eva, as aboveGary Petley - mayor of South WaikatoRaymond Lincoln - founder of logistics businessWarwick Batley - engineering business owner and innovatorMaria Te Kanawa - deputy mayor of South Waikato and CEO of Raukawa iwi businessBryan Cadogan - former three-term mayor of South OtagoBill de la Mare - business executive who chooses to live in a small townEvan Dick - Kaitangata farmer and community leaderApii Solomon - Tokoroa school teacher and proud member of the Cook Islands communityJulius Daniels - Tokoroa YMCAJoyce Beck - Kaitangata community stalwart

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Sun, 01 Nov 2026 - 22min
  • 7 - Balclutha (Part 4)

    One factor more than any other has stopped Balclutha being a 'zombie town': immigration. In the 30 years following Rogernomics, the town lost thousands of people (mostly the young), but in the last 10 years something has changed. New people have arrived - from Auckland but also from much further afield. The second most common language in Balclutha is now Samoan. The influx of new people and cultures has fundamentally changed the economic future of South Otago.

    In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:

    Jamie [*didn’t want his surname used] - relocated to Balclutha from Auckland looking for a better life for his young familyBryan Cadogan - former mayor of South OtagoSalu Tūia-Taaville - Samoan migrantSetivi Tūia-Taaville - Samoan migrantMichelle de Castro-Morado - Philippines migrant and business ownerRaj and Lata Chandel - migrants from India and restaurant ownersRebecca Coote - manager at Finegand freezing works

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Sun, 25 Oct 2026 - 19min
  • 6 - Tokoroa (Part 2)

    The Tokoroa story is the jobs story. Shamubeel meets a number of young people who are not in employment or training to try to find out why the town's unemployment rate is twice as high as neighbouring Hamilton. And he discovers that, during difficult times with mill closures, the local council has been instrumental in helping people find jobs.

    In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:

    Gary Petley - mayor of South WaikatoMark O’Leary - Tokoroa business ownerMemphis Rangiwhakawa - school dropout and unemployed’Paniora Daniels - ‘Project Phoenix’Liam Goodwin - unemployedEileen Hauraki - young mother who recently got a building apprenticeshipMaria Te Kanawa - head of the local iwi organisation RaukawaJulius Daniels - head of the Tokoroa YMCANewa Winikerei - renter facing eviction

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Sun, 18 Oct 2026 - 23min
  • 5 - Balclutha (Part 3)

    40 years ago, the reforms of Rogernomics blindsided many businesses in South Otago as the New Zealand economy transitioned from one where local businesses were protected to one where 'the free market' decided who were the winners and the losers. Shamubeel finds that sometimes the losers and the winners in Balclutha are exactly the same people - but he also discovers a growing conflict between local government and central government.

    In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:

    Steve Hill - CEO of South Otago District CouncilDr Branko Sijnja - Balclutha general practitionerRebecca Coote - manager at Finegand freezing worksBill Keith - survivor of Rogernomics and engineering business ownerHamish Keith - engineering company ownerMike Hurring - Balclutha entrepreneurJock Martin - mayor of Clutha District

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Sun, 11 Oct 2026 - 24min
  • 4 - Balclutha (Part 2)

    Shamubeel is back in Balclutha, trying to understand why some of the financial statistics seem to be tracking in the right direction, finally. And what he discovers is that 10 years ago, some locals - determined their town wasn't going to die - created a unique model to build new houses. But more than that, they set about trying to make sure their towns got 'younger.'

    In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:

    Bryan Cadogan - former mayor of South OtagoJoyce Beck - community volunteerEvan Dick - farmer and community ‘mover and shaker’Amber Mowat - home ownerKobe Thomson - home ownerMark van Asperen - Balclutha Otago District CouncilSteve Hill - CED of South Otago District CouncilShannon Burt - builderAnnaliesse Bissett - school leaverElri Geldenhuys - school leaverMike Wright - principal of South Otago High School

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    Sun, 04 Oct 2026 - 23min
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