Older South Island landholders and their land-use decisions : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Geography at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Date
2022
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Massey University
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Abstract
Relatively little is known about the decisions and practices of rural landowners in Aotearoa/New Zealand and how they are influenced by ageing in later life. This research explored the land-use practices of twelve older land-holders in three rural regions in New Zealand’s South Island. The research was intended to discover if older rural land-holders had made any changes to their land-use over time and if so, the motivations and reasons behind these changes. To understand the role of ageing in land-use decisions, the research examined the values and meanings held by these older people in relation to their rural environments and investigated the possibilities and challenges associated with choices in continuing to manage, stay on, or leave their properties. A mixed methods approach was taken for the research, employing one-on-one, semi-structured interviews and photo elicitation with participants on their properties. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Key themes that emerged were drivers of land-use change, attachment to place, interests and passions, reflection about ageing and future plans. The analysis revealed that the experiences of the twelve participants could be divided into two groups, which reflected shared patterns of land-uses and their reasons for these. Differences related to those who had inherited familial properties or others who had purchased them as individuals. Economic objectives appeared as the main driver for inherited owners across their working lifespan on these properties, whereas for purchasers of properties, the pursuit of a diverse range of personal interests, as well as economics, were significant drivers of land-use decisions. However, nature conservation and protection initiatives were on the minds of all participants at the time of being interviewed. Some had engaged in these activities to a greater extent than others, especially in the latter years of their property tenures. Growing older had caused them to become more philosophical about life and the prospect of retirement. Being in stable enough economic situations provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their landscapes and consider possibilities of pursuing ideas with environmental care and nature restoration initiatives. Attachment/affinity to landscape was a significant theme, which influenced the meanings and values participants brought to their properties. This also influenced their decision making with respect to retirement, having strong feelings about attachments to place made ideas regarding retirement challenging, whether to leave or remain in place. This research has demonstrated that economic imperatives dominated and drove intensive land-use decisions and patterns for these rural landowners during much of their working lives. However, a combination of financial stability in later life, a deep affinity with the place in which they dwelt and worked, and recognition of the effects of ageing, has provided these older landowners with options as well as possibilities for maintaining connections with the land and landscapes they were attached to. These included embarking on diversification and/ or conservation, which followed personal interests and beliefs, finding ways to stay on or have input into properties while reducing equity or workload, or moving off farm, but dwelling locally to retain connections to landscape and the community. In sum, this thesis has explored the diverse perspectives of a group of twelve older, South Island, rural landholders. The analysis of interviews and photo-elicitation revealed the significant connection between land-use, livelihoods and ageing identities. Personal relationships, economic influences and motivations and a deep sense of attachment to place all contributed to land-use decisions, with the importance and impacts of these factors changing over time as landowners aged.