Examining the Insider/Outsider Dimensions of Local Food System Planning: Cases from Dunedin and Christchurch New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Diverse local and ‘alternative’ food networks offer a variety of context-specific responses that aim to challenge the global, conventional food system. These community-based interventions are often supported by local governments, who are attempting to engage with food issues through local-level policy and governance arrangements, most notably through food policy councils. In New Zealand, such practices are in an emergent phase and there is relatively little research on food system planning, despite the emerging engagement with food at a local level. Drawing on case studies from two New Zealand cities (Dunedin and Christchurch), this research explores the role of different actors, including planners in mediating tensions between community and government and identifies potential points of interventions for planners in attempts to transition towards more resilient and just food systems.

KEYWORDS:

• Food system planning
• New Zealand
• food networks
• food policy

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the research participants from Christchurch and Dunedin who contributed their valuable time to share their insights and experience with us. This work was supported by a University of Otago Research Grant.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. A 6.3 magnitude aftershock in February 2011 cause the most extensive damage, claiming 185 lives and causing major destruction in the city. As of September 2015, the Central Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), largely responsible for the rebuild, has estimated that the earthquake recovery construction is 41 percent complete.

2. Generally, local councils in New Zealand have wide ranging powers in regard to land use, natural resource management and decision-making under the Resource Management Act (1991) and the Local Government Act (2002). However, in Christchurch the Central Government has vested special powers in CERA to co-ordinate the recovery.

3. The food forums brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the range of activities in Dunedin that supported local food. Participants identified the need to work together more effectively.

4. At the time of writing, the Food Resilience business advisor has convened two meetings to discuss the membership and role of a ‘Good Food Alliance’ to advise council on their engagement with food. One of the first tasks of this alliance is to develop a food charter for the City. OFN has been, along with other stakeholders, involved in these discussions.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Otago Grant.