3. Overview of Levin

Levin is a small community of about 19,600 centred around state highway one and the main trunk railway line [ The town was founded in 1889 during the construction of the Wellington/Palmerston North railway.] , in a rural setting. It has within its boundary the headquarters of the Horowhenua District Council and the offices of several central government agencies [ These are, Department of Work and Income, Department of Child Youth and Family, and a part week representation from the ACC. In addition there is a Police presence.] .

A review of the information available on the internet produced a brief general picture of the area, with the following key points:

• The region is rural with the surrounding district being concerned mainly with market gardening (including many roadside stalls) and supplying whole milk to Wellington. These activities are supplemented by sheep farming on the Tararua foothills;

• The soil is alluvial, rich and the area has a mild temperate climate;

• Tuesday is 'saleday' with livestock passing through the saleyards to Wellington; and

• The area has a history of manufacturing, featuring a number of clothing factories.

An examination of the census data for 1996 (latest available) reveals that, when compared to the average for the rest of New Zealand, Levin has,

• a higher proportion of females (52 to 51%) and relatively fewer males (48 to 49%);

• lower proportions of prime age (15 - 50) and relatively more retired (over 60) females;

• low proportions of prime age (15 - 50) and relatively more retired males (over 60);

• relatively more New Zealand born and correspondingly less Pacific island and Asian born;

• relatively more European and New Zealand Maori, with correspondingly fewer Pacific Island and Asian ethnics;

• relatively more religious affiliates;

• lower median incomes (about $16,000 to about $22,00 for males, and about $11,750 to about $12,500 for females);

• a distinctly skewed income distribution, favouring the lower income bands;

• relatively more people with no educational qualification and correspondingly fewer with higher school qualifications, higher vocational qualifications and university diplomas;

• relatively more of its workers in manufacturing, retail trade and health and community services, with correspondingly less of its people working in wholesale trade, accommodation etc, transport and storage, finance and insurance, government administration and defence, and property and business services;

• a slightly higher proportion of its people living in single unit houses and fewer in three or more flats/houses joined together;

• a lower rent bill with the majority of Levin rents being in the $100 - $149 bracket and virtually none over $200;

• on average, slightly fewer motor vehicles per household;

In common with many of New Zealand's secondary urban centres, Levin lost population in the late 1990s. Recently it has been working to increase its tourist visits.

So the setting for this investigation was a community with its own identity; not sufficiently remote to be isolated, but far enough from several key government provided facilities like hospitals to be concerned about transport.

A limited range of central government agencies were represented in the area, but other means of contact were open to those living here.