Coasts for Sale: Gentrification in New Zealand

Abstract

The “sea change” phenomenon, or the movement of people from metropolitan to non-metropolitan parts of the country (and especially to coastal areas) is well-documented in Australia, but is now becoming increasingly apparent in New Zealand also. Since 2000 there has been an unprecedented and extremely rapid expansion in the property market, with prices booming for settlements in scenic locations, especially along the coast. This paper reports on a study of six coastal settlements in New Zealand, all of which have experienced this property boom. It found that many of the characteristics of gentrification are becoming increasingly apparent in coastal New Zealand, with particularly negative ramifications for certain parts of the community, namely indigenous communities and low income rental residents, though for many residents, the experience has been largely positive. Planning has so far failed to engage with the gentrification process or to recognise its implications for the wider coastal user community. The paper explores the contradictions associated with the gentrification process. It argues that the future of these communities needs to be wrested back from the dictates of the property market by implementing community-based planning, supported by local government.

Keywords:

• Coast
• development
• gentrification
• community
• New Zealand

Acknowledgements

The above research forms part of a wider research project and thanks are to be given to the team members; Paula Ding, Norah Ellery and Dr Jim Williams. Acknowledgement must also be given to the University of Otago for providing the research funding that enabled this research to be carried out. We would also like to acknowledge the assistance given by all those who gave their time and shared their expertise with us during the phone and face-to-face interviews. In particular we would like to acknowledge the enthusiasm with which all involved participants greeted the research and the deep-felt passion that was displayed for their beaches and coastal communities.

Notes

 1. Bach or crib, is traditionally a low cost holiday home. “Bach” is the term used in the North Island, “crib” in the lower South Island.

 2. Conservatively estimated to be around 1 million according to the KPMG Population Growth Report 2005. The KPMG Melbourne reports that the number of Australians pushing to the coast outside capital cities reached 66,000 or 1.8% in the year to June 2004. “Almost 20% of the nation now lives on the provincial coast in fast growing cities like Queensland's Hervey Bay, New South Wales' Tweed Heads, Victoria's Bass Coast, South Australia's Victor Harbour, Tasmania's Latrobe and the West's Mandurah”.

 3. Maori meeting place.

 4. Waka is a Maori word for the canoe or sailing vessel on which Maori came to New Zealand and to their places of residence.

 5. “Pa” is the term used to refer to a traditional village site.

 6. Kiwi is a term New Zealander's use to describe themselves. The kiwi is a flightless New Zealand bird.

 7. The capital city of Wellington is about one and a half hours drive away.

 8. Section is the term used in New Zealand for a piece of land on which a house is or could be built.

 9. All prices in the paper are in New Zealand dollars. $ 1.0 NZ on 1-12-2006 equalled approximately $ 0.87 Australian; 0.35 British Pounds; 0.5 Euros; $0.67 US.

10. A type of Maori social housing.