Ohakune, 1956-1965: a study of a source area of migration in New Zealand

Abstract

A foreigner in New Zealand, the writer was fascinated by the character of its rural society. As a student of geography at the Victoria University of Wellington this interest was sharpened by study of the settlements of Manawatu and came to focus more specifically on the 'colonial' forms of settlement in New Zealand, which were claimed to be similar to others in Australia and North America. The similarity of the New Zealand rural settlements with their Australian counterparts is remarkable as the writer can testify after travelling several thousand miles in New South Wales.Largely for the preparation of: Population Structure, Migration and workforce characteristics of country towns in New South Wales. Report for the New South Wales Department of Decentralization and Development. The writer would like to thank numerous people in Wellington, Wanganui, Raetihi and Ohakune whose assistance made this study possible. They range from the gentleman who provided transport to the outer parts of the county to the kind lady who provided board during the survey in Ohakune. The writer would like to thank the staff of various Government Departments who were most helpful. Special thanks are due to Mr. R.E. Mustohin and his staff (Census and population Branch, Lower Hutt) for assistance while in the midst of their preparations for the 1966 Census.