Wanganui City and its economic hinterland: twenty years of growth, 1945-1965

Abstract

This thesis is to test the relationship between an area of land and a city within the particular economic setting of New Zealand. It involves an examination of the rate and pattern of growth of the Wanganui city region The influence of the metropolitan city extends well beyond the limits of the settlement area to a vaguely defined tributary or trade area, or hinterland. This city region involves an area which does "not substantially depart from the boundaries of natural community and corporate interest". R.E. Dickinson, City Region and Regionalism, London, 1947, 1st Edition pp. 2,200. (fig. 1) for the period, 1945 to 1965. Wanganui city has shown a slower rate of growth than have many cities in other parts of New Zealand. The purpose of the study is to endeavour to show the reasons for this rate of growth. Thus, most facets of the city and its economic hinterland have been considered in order to ascertain which aspects of the economy need developing.