transitions in the south waikato labour market: an ethnographic study

1. THEMES(i)Perceptions of the South Waikato EconomySome brief comments have already been made regarding the make-up of this regionaleconomy. The study period, 1987 to 1997, incorporated periods of economicturbulence and labour market instability across the country as a whole. This shortsection draws on the work experiences of some of those interviewed to convey theirperceptions of the impact of this volatility on the South Waikato region.Given that this region has a prominent rural sector, it is unsurprising that somecomments related to what had occurred in this industry. Interestingly, this man did notfeel greatly affected by the restructuring of the economy generally, and theagricultural sector more specifically. His particular circumstances seemed to haveinsulated him from any major impacts.It probably affected the business community but it didn’t really affect thefarming business. People up in Auckland wouldn’t like to admit it but thecountry wouldn’t like to admit but the country does revolve aroundfarming.However, he does concede that downturns in the 1990s meant lower returns andforced him to work harder and more carefully.In the big crash in 1990’s that is probably when the politics affected us aswell. …Strained a little bit. …If anything I tried to work harder to try andsqueeze a few more dollars out of it. … being more careful. Very carefulwith my budgeting that is for sure. Probably did more homework overthose couple of years.As countless news reports at the time graphically showed, many people were affected,to varying degrees and with severe consequences at times. Whilst he did notexperience the extreme impacts that some did, the downturn in the rural sector meantthat the poor satisfaction and financial returns from farming made another manconsider leaving the industry all together.Through that early period through the ‘80’s there I’d probably, I wouldhave done something else had I’d been able to get into something else.Yeah, because farming wasn’t treating me that well. I hadn’t really goneanywhere with it at that time.Consequently, he considered employment in the prison service. It was a job that he felthe could get into and manage, and which had reasonable prospects. However, thingsstarted to improve and he never had to make the final decision.Now in the sort of positions that we’re in now with my experience and mymanagement skills you know we’re making pretty good money now really.You know like we can make $40,000 to $50,000 and a free house and youknow that’s hard to beat it.One of the farmers who was progressively building up his finances and assets, withthe intention of buying a property in the future, noted that the restructured farmingsector was much more challenging for people in his position.8