Can planting trees cost more than farmland?

Kathryn Wright is investigating how forestry conversion is impacting the mental health and social fabric of rural Southland and Otago.

While land-use change continues to make headlines, the Te Anau-based counsellor and rural mental health advocate is breaking new ground by being possibly the first to research how forestry conversion is affecting the mental wellbeing of rural communities.

“I have two aims for this research: Firstly, to be able to inform government policy about land-use change - whether that is forestry or other changes - but what happens to the people left behind? How does it affect the ability of the community to meet and connect, and what social connection opportunities will be lost if populations dwindle?”

Wright says dwindling numbers in rural areas can have ripple effects; threatening the viability of local schools, shops, and services that rely on community support, often through volunteer efforts.

Secondly, Wright also hopes her research will help strengthen the case for funding grassroots initiatives - everything from community sports and playgroups to hobby and support groups.

“The research will also act as proof for social and health services that may be more likely to come to small rural towns if it can be proven that it will benefit the people.”

Wright, who is doing her PhD through the Centre for Sustainability at the University of Otago, is surveying residents across Otago and Southland to understand how farmland-to-forestry conversions and the resulting population shifts are affecting the social fabric of rural towns.

The survey, which is open to people aged 18 and over in the region, runs until early-mid September and could be the first study of its kind in New Zealand.

“Mental health and well-being are also lacking a strong research evidence base to understand the issues that are affecting individuals in areas with high rates of farm conversions.
“Rural mental health is a severely under-researched area in New Zealand with scant offerings on the topic.”

Wright’s study also includes qualitative interviews: one-on-one conversations designed to explore participants’ personal thoughts, feelings, and life experiences - rather than relying on statistics alone.

These interviews aim to uncover shared experiences of connection - or disconnection -in communities facing change.

She is currently looking for participants from Lawrence and Omakau.

Lawrence was selected due to its prominent forestry conversions, while Omakau provides a useful comparison due to its active clubs and rural groups.

“The study is only in Otago and Southland because I needed to keep it manageable - I still work part-time and have a family. It is hoped that the findings will be generalisable throughout the country however though, as this is an issue that really is nation-wide.
“The interviews are semi-structured, so there may be extra insights, depending on the situations of the participants.”

Wright has deep rural roots and works primarily with people in the agricultural sector, giving her a clear view of the challenges rural communities face.

“There is barely any research on rural mental health in Aotearoa. I think it just takes someone with enough interest to come along and actually do it - research is a big commitment, and most researchers are urban, that is the only explanation I have.”

She says there’s an urgent need for more attention on the mental health of rural New Zealanders - particularly young men.

“We have a particular set of issues in rural mental health that differs from other countries - it is overwhelmingly our young men who suffer the very worst statistics. This is the most rewarding research that I can think of, and I love what I do.”

By  Claire Inkson