Revisiting zombie towns: Balclutha's rural resilience

A decade ago, Shamubeel Eaqub was pessimistic about the future of heartland New Zealand. All the financial indicators were depressing. But something is changing in small regional towns - something surprising.

The controversial economist heads to Balclutha and Tokoroa, where he discovers two communities showcasing rural resilience in different ways.

Who were the winners and losers from economic reforms 40 years ago? How have zombie towns become survivor towns?

Shamubeel Eaqub offers his unique insights into how struggling communities can get their mojo back.

A decade ago I called Whanganui a zombie town. It was slowly losing people, jobs and prospects, and seemingly no one was doing anything about it. Then it went from exporting people to importing them. What did I miss?

I went back to provincial New Zealand to find out. I also wanted to find an antidote to the polarisation that is wrecking our communities and politics.