Zombie Towns: Everything I Missed

Epizode

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  Tokoroa (Part 1) 27.09.2026 23min

  Tokoroa is a new town which sprung up because South Waikato is able to produce some of the fastest growing pine trees in the world. Forestry meant that South Waikato was once one of the wealthiest regions of New Zealand. But today it is one of the poorest as globalisation forced the loss of jobs. Just as Balclutha struggled 40 years ago, Tokoroa is struggling now.In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:Andrew Dobbs - redundant mill workerGary Petley - mayor of South WaikatoAlan Blair - former millworkerApii Solomon - Tokoroa teacher and member of the Tokoroa Cook Islands communityRed Middlemiss - unionistLisa Karauma - former millworker, now works in retailLarry Sullivan - retailer and Tokoroa stalwartNancy Chhur - Cambodian immigrant and business ownerThelma Popata - Tokoroa gym ownerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Balclutha (Part 1) 27.09.2026 19min

  Economist Shamubeel Eaqub recounts how the term 'zombie towns' created an outcry in rural New Zealand. Now, a decade on, he wants to understand if anything has changed in the provinces. Did he miss something back then? Why have the economic statistics started to change - albeit slowly? What's going on in New Zealand's economic heartland? He chooses to focus on two towns: Balclutha and Tokoroa. He travels first to South Otago, where he quickly discovers locals determined to show him they are not the walking dead.In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:Nigel Stirling - South Otago farmer and former RNZ economics correspondentRuth Baldwin - manu whenuaBryan Cadogan - three-term mayor of South OtagoOlive Glover - lost two farms as a result of Rogernomics reformsDr Branko Sijnja - Balclutha general practitionerYou can read more about the series on the RNZ website hereGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Introducing: Zombie Towns: Everything I Missed 23.09.2026

  Economist Shamubeel ‘zombie towns’ Eaqub travels to Balclutha and Tokoroa to find out what’s really going on in heartland New Zealand, analysing how struggling communities regain their financial mojo.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details