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New Zealand Economic Geography
Author(s) -
STOKES EVELYN
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
new zealand geographer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1745-7939
pISSN - 0028-8144
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7939.1969.tb00606.x
Subject(s) - geographer , variety (cybernetics) , geography , historical geography , government (linguistics) , regional science , christian ministry , agriculture , service (business) , human geography , economic geography , social science , political science , sociology , economy , archaeology , economics , law , computer science , linguistics , philosophy , artificial intelligence
SUMMARY The most striking feature of the progress of New Zealand economic geography is the participation by members of government departments, notably DSIR (especially the Soil Bureau and Grasslands Division), Agriculture and various agricultural research stations, Lands and Survey, Forest Service, Industries and Commerce, Ministry of Works, as well as individuals representing various regional planning authorities and catchment boards and the like. Economic geography has been the richer for their contribution. On the other hand, perhaps the more pragmatic turn of mind of these members has unduly flavoured the field in geography for there has been very little in the way of theoretical ideas produced. Many of the papers reviewed here consist of descriptive, factual reporting. After a brief history of the industry, landuse or whatever, the writer has proceeded to describe the situation at the time of writing. Some have attempted classifications. Few models, or theoretical ‘ideal’ patterns have been established from which deviations could be measured at that time, or at some future time. Many of these static descriptions have become historical documents which have added little to our comprehension of the processes involved in producing the regional variations in economic activity with which the economic geographer is concerned. Although lack of education in the correct use of quantitative techniques has been a drawback for many New Zealand geographers, experimentation has already begun in analysing a variety of topics. A basis is being laid for a far more thoughtful analysis of processes in New Zealand that are both economic and geographic.