3.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE

3.1 POPULATION

3.2 EMPLOYMENT

3.3 HOUSING

3.4 EDUCATION

3.5 HEALTH

3.6 LAW AND ORDER

3.7 EMERGENCY SERVICES

3.8 SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES

3.9 CHURCHES

3.10 POST AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES

3.11 COMMUNITY & SPORTS GROUPS

3.0 COMMUNITY PROFILE
3.1 POPULATION
New Zealand Statistics divides the Waihi area into two "area units":

• Waihi (the area directly around and including Waihi town)
• Golden Cross (the wider rural area around Waihi extending from the east coast through to the Hauraki Plains - includes Whiritoa, Waikino, Karangahake, and Mackaytown)

The Waihi Ward covers a smaller geographical area (refer Map of Study Area, Appendix B). It includes Waihi Town and Whiritoa but only extends west as far as Waikino.

For each of the population statistics set out in the following sections, the Waihi Town has been separated out from the Waihi Ward in order to identify any specific features and/or trends in the Town.

3.1.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified population statistics for a wider study area than undertaken as part of this Report on the Social Environment. It examined statistical information from Athenree and Waihi Beach.

The June 1997 Report compared statistical information on population from the 1981, 1986 and 1991 Census (refer Table 1 below).

Table 1: Total Population Change – 1997 Study Area

Population Change %
1981 1986 1991 81-86 86-91
Waihi Town 3654 3849 4275 5.1 10.0
Waihi Ward 1632 1812 2103 9.9 13.8
Waihi Beach 1464 1860 1998 21.3 6.9
Athenree 189 279 408 32.3 31.6
(1981, 1986 & 1991 Census)

3.1.2 June 2000
Since 1997, information from the 1996 Census has become publicly available and the statistics are examined below in respect of ‘total population’, ‘age structure & gender’, ‘ethnic background’, ‘occupation’, and migration’.

a) Total Population
The total population statistics set out in Table 2 below are compared to Table 1 above and show that:

• There has been a small increase in population over the 1991-1996 period. The increase is below the New Zealand average population increase, which was 7.2% over this same period.
• The reduction in population growth for the study area compared with the national average is likely to be partly attributable to central/local government restructuring which had a significant impact on smaller communities with the consolidation/centralisation of services, and other changes in commercial services (e.g. bank mergers and automation).

Table 2: Total Population Change - 2000 Study Area

Population Change %
1991 1996 91-96
Waihi Town 4641 4794 3.3
Waihi Ward 1746 1797 2.9
National Average 7.2
(Census)

Note: The 1991 Census figures for Waihi Town and Waihi Ward in Table 2 are different to those in Table 1 – 1997 Study Area. It appears this is due to several Waihi Town meshblocks which included the extended mine area being taken out of the Town area and included in Waihi Ward in the June 1997 report.

b) Age Structure and Gender
The statistics within Figures 1a) & 1b) show that the age structure for both the Waihi Town and the Waihi Ward has not changed significantly over the period between 1991 and 1996. The following changes and comparisons are noted:

• The 0-4 and 5-14 year age groups are above the New Zealand averages in both the Town and Ward (7.7% and 15.2% respectively);
• The drop in the population aged 15-19 years may suggest that young people are leaving for training. This age group is below the NZ average of 7.3%);
• The 20-29 year age group is below the New Zealand average (15%) for both the Town and Ward;
• The decline in the 30-39 year age group for the Ward may suggest that people are leaving to seek employment;
• The increase in the those aged 50-59 years is quite marked in the Waihi Ward, but not in the Waihi Town; and
• The proportion of people in the 60+ years age group for Waihi Town is markedly greater than the New Zealand average (15.4%).

None of these trends and comparisons have an obvious connection to the extension to the Martha Mine.

Figure 1a) : Age Structure & Gender - Waihi Ward

Figure 1b) : Age Structure & Gender - Waihi Town

c) Ethnic Background
The statistics for ethnic background were examined in order to identify whether there are any significant changes in the ethnic makeup of the population of the study area between 1991 and 1996. Any such groups should be considered during the process of undertaking future initiatives for the community.

Figure 2 shows that over the 1991-1996 period there has been a small increase in the NZ Maori population and a small decrease in the European population within both Waihi Town and Ward. This may be a reflection of the change in way people are able to identify their ethnicity in the Census, and the urban marae may be acting as a catalyst for Maori to settle in Waihi. There are no other noticeable changes within either Waihi Town or Ward. Both European and NZ Maori ethnic groups are slightly above the NZ average within Waihi Town and Ward.

Figure 2 : Ethnic Background

d) Occupation
The statistics for occupation were examined to identify trends in the occupational structure of the Study Area.

Figure 3 shows that the sources of employment have remained similar between 1991 and 1996. For example ‘agriculture, hunting, forestry & fishing’ occupations still remains the most prominent within the rural environment of the Waihi Ward, while ‘wholesale, retail trade & restaurants’ and ‘community, social & personal service’ occupations still remain the most prominent within Waihi Town.

The decline in ‘Mining & Quarrying" was for a period before the Martha Mine extension commenced. Additional employment resulting form the current expansion of the Martha Mine may be offset by the loss of employment at the Golden Cross mine at Waitekauri (refer also to the discussion in Section 3.2 – Employment).

Figure 3 : Occupation

e) Migration

Figure 4 – Migration shows whether people are at the same address as at the time of the previous Census (either within or outside Waihi Town or Ward) for the previous two census periods. The statistics for migration were examined to identify the level of mobility of the community within the study area. A relatively stable community suggests there may be greater commitment within the community to implement initiatives as mining comes to a close.

The only noticeable changes in the migration patterns were:

• Decrease between 1991 and 1996 in the proportion of the Waihi population that had migrated to the Town and Ward from elsewhere in NZ compared to the previous 5 years. This is in part a consequence of the reduction in total population increase over this period (refer to Section 3.1.2 of this report)
• The number of people whose address remained the same is slightly above the NZ average and has increased between 1991 and 1996, suggesting a level of stability within the study area.

The above trends are consistent with the general trends for New Zealand.

Figure 4 : Migration

3.1.3 Summary of Trends & Future Monitoring
The above Census information provides baseline data on the population trends occurring in the Waihi Study Area. Comparisons between this baseline information and future Census data will provide for the identification of trends in the population of Waihi. Those changes that are identified by comparing the 1991 and 1996 Census data include the following:

• There has been a decline in the rate of population growth.
• The age structure is consistent with the New Zealand average.
• The European and Maori ethnic groupings are slightly above the New Zealand average.

3.2 EMPLOYMENT
3.2.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that WGC directly employed 140 staff (including contractor staff). It was estimated that with the extended project, an estimated additional 35 operation staff, would be required, bringing the total number of persons directly employed by WGC to the order of 180. In addition, 140 construction staff would be employment at the mine by other contractors (ie not employed directly by WGC).

Direct and indirect employment from the extended project was expected to be in the order of 850 jobs in the Waikato Region.

3.2.2 June 2000
Since 1997, changes in employment by WGC are as follows:

• 1999 180 (WGC staff and mining contractor staff)
• 2000 234 (WGC staff and mining contractor staff)

The employment of 234 staff and mining contractor staff is less than the 320 estimated in 1997. WGC expect that their employment figures will decrease once the construction phase of the extension project is complete in 2001.

The Census figures for 1991 & 1996 show that within the Waihi Town and Ward there has been no significant changes, but the following is noted:

• Increase in wage & salary earners for both the Town and Ward;
• Decrease in the self-employed for the Town.

There have also been decreases in the unemployment figures. The rates of unemployment are similar to the New Zealand averages (1991 – 6.3%, 1996 – 4.9%). However, it needs to be noted that between 1991 & 1996 the way in which the unemployed were categorised has changed, which may have resulted in this decrease.

Figure 5 : Employment Status

3.2.3 Future Trends
Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) do not have a specific programme should the mine close. However, they do have a general policy which they adopt nationwide for large redundancies. Additional Case Managers would be based in Waihi to give advice on redundancy, benefits etc. Additional ‘Work Brokers’ would also be situated in Waihi. It is WINZ policy to assist redundant workers as soon as possible. Their input is therefore based on when they are advised of the potential closure.

The Community Employment section of WINZ provides support for the businesses in the community, which may suffer as a result of the mine closure.

3.3 HOUSING
3.3.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified the following features in respect of housing in the Waihi area:

• That between 1986 and 1991 the number of private dwellings in Waihi had increased;
• That WGC housing has added considerably to the rental stock in Waihi;
• That WGC owned houses are occupied by staff and mine contractor staff as well as local residents not associated with the mine;
• The extended project necessitated the purchase of 32 houses primarily within and adjacent to the extended pit perimeter (26 to be relocated and 6 to be demolished);
• A survey of tenants within the purchased houses was undertaken in order to understand their expectations about the future of the houses;
• The closure of the mine in the future will necessitate the disposal of WGC property which depending on the policy adopted by WGC could impact on local property values. WGC are aware of this possibility and are considering an orderly programme of property disposal.

3.3.2 June 2000
WGC states that as of June 2000 the company currently owns a total of 71 houses generally within Waihi Town which are occupied as follows:

• 28 houses are rented to mine employees;
• 34 houses are rented to others;
• 3 houses are vacant because they require significant renovation;
• 6 furnished accommodation units for short stay purposes by WGC employees/consultants etc.

A further 38 houses purchased primarily within and adjacent to the extended pit perimeter have been disposed of as follows:

• 19 were demolished;
• 16 were relocated and resold;
• 3 were purchased and resold;

The total housing stock in Waihi Town and Ward is as follows:

Year Waihi Town Waihi Ward
1991 1680 2289
1996 1799 2430
Total 3479 4719
(Source : 1991 & 1996 Census)

Accordingly, the 71 houses owned by WGC generally within the Town represents approximately 4% of the total housing stock.

WGC advise that it has transferred the responsibility of their rental properties to several local Real Estate Agents in order that tenancies are managed by independent professional organisations.

The trends noted in Figure 6 show a reduction in the proportion of houses owned and a corresponding increase in the proportion of houses rented. The housing stock will not have changed dramatically in this period and the proportion of changes may be attributable to people employed at Coeur Gold and Martha Mine on limited employment tenure preferring to rent.

Figure 6 : Private Dwelling Tenure

Subdivisions

The subdivision consents granted by the Hauraki District Council have remained relatively constant between 1997 and 2000 (refer to Figure 7).

Figure 7 : Subdivisions Granted

Building Consents

There has been a significant decrease in the number of residential dwelling consents issued between 1997 and 2000 (includes new dwellings, alterations to existing dwellings and accessory buildings to dwellings). Refer to Figure 8. A number of factors may be at play in this decrease, including:

• general downturn in confidence in the economy
• slowing in population growth rate
• glut on the market (partly attributable to selling of WGC purchased properties).

It is also noted that there has been an increase in the consents issued for industrial buildings/work. 15 of the 23 building consents for the 1999 - 2000 period were issued to Waihi Gold, with only one in the previous two periods.

Figure 8 : Building Consents Issued

3.3.3 Future Trends in Housing
Interviews in June 2000 with several Real Estate Agencies identified the following:

• That the resale market for dwellings is currently depressed and that properties in the east quadrant of Waihi are more difficult and take longer to sell than other sectors of Waihi. Some agents commented that some houses are currently ‘unsaleable’. They consider that this may be partly due to the fact that in 1998 mine exploration licences were registered on a number of properties in the east quadrant of Waihi and the proximity of the houses to the extended pit perimeter.
• That the current demand for rental housing in Waihi is buoyant, but it is difficult to determine what will take place in the rental market when the mine ceases.
• As stated in the June 1997 report, it will be important for WGC to put in place a careful programme of disposal of the houses it owns over a reasonable period of time, to minimise the risk of depressing the Waihi residential market.

3.4 EDUCATION
3.4.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• Waihi College experienced positive effects as a result of Martha Mine reopening with an increase in school rolls;
• Primary School rolls have increased in Waihi between 1994 and 1996, but country schools noticed little or no effect on their rolls;
• A number of primary schools and the college receive financial support by WGC;
• Pre-schools noticed little or no difference to rolls as a result of the reopening of the mine;
• If the mine ceased operations, the rolls of some schools would be affected;
• If the extension project proceeded, school rolls are likely to increase slightly.

3.4.2 June 2000
The June 2000 interviews with representatives of the secondary, primary, and pre-school facilities in and around Waihi the following matters were stated:

• Waihi College has experienced a noticeable increase in its school roll this year and they attribute this partly to demographic changes (it is noted that in the 1996 Census there was an increase in the 5-14 year age group – refer to Section 3.1.2) and a general trend for students to stay on through the 7th Form.
• Some of the primary schools have had slight fluctuations in schools rolls. In most cases, they attribute this to demographic changes with no clear correlation to the mine extension. Some of the primary schools experienced clear reductions in rolls that they attributed to the closure of Coeur Gold.
• The pre-schools have not experienced an increase in numbers attending. This is attributed, in part, to the growth of other early childcare facilities within the community (eg home-based childcare) and the fact that the population structure (including the number and proportion of pre-schoolers) has not changed significantly.

Table 3 – School Rolls

1996 School
Roll 1999 School Roll 2000 School Roll
Secondary School
Waihi College 760 760 792
Primary Schools
Waihi East Primary 229 240 230
St. Joseph’s Primary 67 57 57
Waihi South Primary 270 255 236
Waimata 77 100 99
Waikino 78 90 90
TOTAL PRIMARY 721 742 712
Pre-Schools
Waihi Playcentre 25 - 25
Waihi Free Kindergarten 42 - 42
TOTAL PRESCHOOL 67 - 67

• Several of the schools identified that the recent mine extension activities had noticeable environmental effects (eg noise, dust, increased visibility of mine activities). However, these effects did not disrupt schooling activities. In respect of the Waihi South Primary School, which is the closest school to the mine pit, ongoing liaison and communication between the school and WGC enabled schooling activities to continue without undue disruption while construction activities took place at the edge of the mine pit close to the school.

3.4.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked how schools viewed their future in the context of mining activities ceasing in Waihi:

• The majority of schools considered that they would experience a decrease in roll numbers if mining activities cease, with consequential loss of financial assistance from WGC and increased pressure on parents.
• None of the pre-school, primary, or secondary schools are undertaking any direct action to prepare for the effects of cessation of mining, apart for continuing their own marketing within the community to advertise their school facilities.

3.5 HEALTH
3.5.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• Little additional general practice work has been generated that can be attributed to the re-opening of Martha Mine;
• WGC provides a number of health and medical services for its staff;
• With the extended project there may be a small increase in the need for health resources among all age groups at the Health Centre in Waihi and at the mine as a result of additional staff and families coming into the area.

3.5.2 June 2000
The June 2000 interviews with representatives of various health providers within Waihi (eg Waihi Hospital, Waihi Health Centre, Hetherington House Rest Home, Waihi Dental Centre, and Barons Pharmacy) identified the following matters:

• That none of the health providers can identify any changes to their services that are directly attributed to the extension of the mine activities;
• Barons Pharmacy has increased staff to cope with the demand for photo services associated with tourism at the mine. This is not necessarily associated with the mine extension activities but more likely the mining activities in general.

Information obtained through the June 2000 interviews with WGC staff confirm that their services to the staff are continuing:

• They have a full time safety superintendent.
• They provide medicals/check-ups for all staff and a nurse visits on a regular basis.
• They have a physiotherapist on call.

3.5.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked how health providers viewed their future in the context of mining activities ceasing in Waihi:

• None of the health providers considered there would be any changes to their services when the mine ceases. This view is held primarily because there is an expectation that mining activities will continue into the future (either by way of another extension or a new mine site). Providers are also confident that other businesses in town will continue to require their services,. It is also noted that the health providers serve a wider area than just Waihi Town (e.g. Whiritoa, Waihi Beach & Athenree, and Waikino).
• That none of the health providers are taking any direct action at this time to prepare their services for the cessation of mining. Some expect that WGC will seek another extension or open a new mine and therefore mining activities will continue in Waihi.

3.6 LAW AND ORDER
3.6.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• There had been a decrease in crimes reported in Waihi between 1983 and 1995 although this was not due to the re-opening of Martha Mine;
• The number of police based at Waihi increased due to re-organisation of police staffing;
• Crime is not likely to increase with an incoming construction workforce or an influx of newcomers.

3.6.2 June 2000
The June 2000 interviews with representatives of the Department of Courts and the NZ Police confirmed the following:

• That no physical impacts (eg noise, vibration) have been experienced on these agencies since the mine extension;
• The closure of Seddon Street has caused changes in traffic patterns and the function of intersections. This has influenced traffic management by the Police, but has not been a significant issue for them to manage;
• The range and pattern of crime in Waihi is similar to other Hauraki District towns and there are no trends that the Police can attribute to the mine extension activities. Any trends are related more to police policy (eg promoting the reporting of domestic violence).

3.6.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked how the Department of Courts and the Police viewed their future in the context of mining activities ceasing in Waihi. They indicated the following:

• That when the mine closes in the future and this results in a marked population decline, it is likely to cause a change to the structure of the Police (eg reduction is staff);
• That the Department of Courts may provide its services differently in the future but not as a result of mine closure (i.e. will continue to hold court sessions in Waihi, but will not have staff based in Waihi – all administration would be from outside);
• That it is too early for making changes to the operation of these agencies in anticipation of mine closure. Police noted that there had been an increase in domestic violence and petty crime following the closure of the PYE factory, which had been a significant employer in the town. They would anticipate responding to a similar situation if the mine were to close abruptly, rather that a phased programme as proposed.

3.7 EMERGENCY SERVICES
3.7.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• The re-opening of Martha Mine has had little effect on the workload of emergency services in Waihi and surrounding area but that it may have contributed to a boost in numbers of volunteers available for these services;
• There are emergency services for fighting fire at the ore processing plant and while there were none at the mine itself, extensive training for fire fighting, search and rescue, tunnel rescue, smoke situations, and heavy & light vehicle collisions was undertaken by the NZ Fire Service at the mine.

3.7.2 June 2000
i) WGC - June 2000
Information obtained through the June 2000 interviews with WGC staff confirm that the company continues to have a mine rescue team on site (a Rapid Response Team) which deals with emergency situations, and a Work Place Support Counsellor for counselling needs of staff.

ii) Community - August 2000
Information obtained from a discussion with the St Johns Ambulance Service in Waihi revealed that the staff numbers and equipment has been static over the past 5 years. The figures being:

• 22 Ambulance Volunteers
• 5 Community Service Volunteers eg: sport
• 12 Community Care Volunteers eg: transporting non urgent cases in private cars
• 2 Ambulances

Information obtained from the New Zealand Fire Service outlined that there are 20 volunteers at the Waihi Brigade, which is the same as in 1995. However, these numbers do fluctuate during the year. The equipment held by the Brigade has remained the same, being 2 appliances and 1 water tank.

3.7.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews identified that there are unlikely to be major changes to emergency services as a result of mining activities ceasing in Waihi. This is because the services serve a wide geographic area and are required by all elements of the community. Some services are likely to cease (e.g. mine rescue team) and the pool of volunteers may be reduced as mine personnel leave.

3.8 SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES
3.8.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 report identifies the following in respect of the Department of Social Welfare:

• When Martha Mine re-opened the Department administering the Waihi area was based in Paeroa. There is now an office in Waihi but it is not related to the re-opening of the mine;
• The re-opening of Martha Mine resulted in fewer unemployed clients;
• The number of training programmes provided by the Department had increased and these included programmes on horticulture, panel-beating and light engineering, conservation and generic skills enabling people to work at the mine;
• An extension to the life of the mine would postpone demands for services. However, the mine will close at some time and therefore the community still needs to plan ahead for this event by putting in place strategies to cushion potential adverse social and economic effects.

3.8.2 June 2000
An interview with Work Employment Network (WEN) agency staff in June 2000 confirmed that very few unemployed people in Waihi have been employed by WGC, primarily because they were not appropriately qualified for the positions available at the mine.

3.8.3 Future Trends
Refer to comments made in Section 3.1.3 of this report.

3.9 CHURCHES
3.9.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identifies that:

• The re-opening of Martha Mine has had little impact on church congregations in the Waihi area (although some staff associated with the mine have joined local congregations);
• General movement between religions has tended to have had more impact on congregation size than the re-opening of the mine;
• WGC have a Mine Chaplin who is available for staff counselling;
• A change in unemployment as a result of the mine closure is likely to result in additional support work for church members.

3.9.2 June 2000
The June 2000 interviews with representatives of various Waihi churches (eg Baptist, Anglican, Elim, Assembly of God, Salvation Army, and Christian Fellowship) confirmed the following:

• That none of the Churches have experienced any change to congregation numbers since the mine extension, in part because, members tend to be long established permanent and elderly residents of Waihi that are not employed by WGC.
• That the Anglican Church was the only church to experience physical effects from mine extension activities (eg noise and vibration from blasting close to edge of pit). The Anglican Church has also experienced noise effects from increased traffic using the alternative traffic route now that Seddon Street has been closed.

3.9.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked how churches viewed their future in the context of mining activities ceasing in Waihi. The following responses were received:

• The majority of the Churches do not expect that they will experience any significant change to their congregation when the mine closes in the future because their congregations are mainly made up of older retired people. However, a few thought that their congregation would reduce in size as mine employees moved away and the impacts on the economy of the town would cause people to move from Waihi.
• None of the churches are taking any action at present to prepare for changes that may occur when the mine closes.

3.10 POST AND TELEGRAPH SERVICES
3.10.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• Postal and telephone services in Waihi have experienced a dramatic increase in use, including the number of delivery points. This is likely to be attributed to a general increase in population and availability of new services rather than to the re-opening of the mine;
• The extension to mine activities would be expected to increase a demand for these services but to manageable levels;
• These services would experience a reduction in demand as a result of cessation of mining activities due to some residents moving away from the area but effects on these services would be small.

3.10.2 June 2000
The interviews undertaken in June 2000 identified that:

• The postal service in Waihi has experienced an increase in 59 residential letterboxes delivered to. There was also an increase in the number of private boxes by an extra 21. Courier post has become more active since 1997 with a contractor being employed.
• Changes are most likely to be attributable to the natural expansion of Waihi Town. The mine has not been seen by Postal staff to have caused a significant impact on the postal services.
• Telecom currently has 3169 circuits connected in the Waihi Exchange which staff indicate is an increase since 1996 although figures for 1996 could not be obtained.
• Telecom staff attribute the increase in circuits to:
  • an increase in second line installations due to cheaper connections and installation rates, Internet connections or fax lines.
  • Corporate customers demanding 2Meg access and additional PABX circuits eg: WINZ, KFC and most of the banks.
  • Residential infill as a result of a number of small subdivisions and lifestyle blocks in the area.

3.10.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked staff at NZ Post and Telecom how their organisation would deal with a change in the mining activity:

• Any change in the mining activity has not been planned for by NZ Post and they would react at the time.
• A full closure of the mine would have no effect on the type of service offered by Telecom at Waihi. The network would still be maintained to its current standard.

3.11 COMMUNITY & SPORTS GROUPS
3.11.1 June 1997 Report
The June 1997 Report identified that:

• Waihi has a large number of community and sports groups which have flourished or declined regardless of the mine;
• Mine employees and their families have joined and supported various community and sports groups;
• Some groups have developed strong relationships with WGC;
• WGC has provided sponsorship to many of the local community and sports groups for specific projects;
• The cessation of mining is likely to result in declining membership in several community and sports groups if they include mine employees but they are unlikely to fold as a result (with the exception of any mine specific groups such as Women for Mining).

3.11.2 June 2000
The June 2000 interviews held with representatives of community and sports groups (eg Waihi RSA, RSA Womens, Waihi Lions, Waihi Beach Lions, Martha Lions, Lions Pakeke, Waihi Rotary, Waihi Tramping Club, Waihi Rugby & Sports Club, Waihi Soccer Club) confirmed the following:

• That the Waihi Rugby & Sports Club has not experienced physical effects on fields and facilities as a result of the extension, but the slumping and closure of Seddon Street has required the use of an alternative access to the facilities. This has created an issue of safety between vehicles and pedestrians.
• That most of the groups have not noticed any significant change to membership since the mine extension.
• That many of the groups have been provided with financial support from WGC (without tags).

3.11.3 Future Trends
The June 2000 interviews asked how community and sports groups viewed their future in the context of mining activities ceasing in Waihi. Groups stated that:

• Most of the groups do not anticipate any changes as a result of the mine closing. However, some have identified that there may be some small changes to membership. However the biggest change is likely to be an increased workload amongst members involved in assisting the community once the mine is closed and a reduction in sponsorship from businesses that may suffer after the closure of the mine.
• None of the groups are taking any action to prepare for closure of the mine. Some believe that it is too early to prepare, while others think the mining activities will never cease in Waihi anyway.
• Some considered that Waihi has a diverse range of commercial activities and it has coped with economic change before (eg closure of the PYE factory). Others considered that Waihi will need a big industry to replace mining to maintain and grow the economy. Tourism may not generate sufficient economic activity to replace the contribution to the local economy that the mine provides at present. However, if done appropriately, tourism is likely to contribute significantly.

1 Introduction | 2. Methodology | 3. Community Profile | 4. Community Attitudes | 5. Summary | Apppendices

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