Reviving rural communities : one small community's first steps to a better future

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.Rural Communities around us are dying. This study identifies that the best way to revive a rural community is by focusing on the community's assets, capacities and abilities. In New Zealand the Department of Labour's Community Employment Group (CEG) provides a good support network to encourage revitalisation. The change, however, must come from within the community. Apathy and a lack of self esteem appear to be the greatest limiting factors. The only competitive advantage a community has is the passion of its people. A healthy community has passionate leadership and a strong support team where they volunteer, collaborate, network and assist each other. A community in partnership with CEGS and embracing the Enterprise Facilitation concept will be the model for successful regional development in future. This report outlines a course of action being taken by one rural community