Tokoroa is a new town which sprung up because South Waikato is able to produce some of the fastest growing pine trees in the world. Forestry meant that South Waikato was once one of the wealthiest regions of New Zealand. But today it is one of the poorest as globalisation forced the loss of jobs. Just as Balclutha struggled 40 years ago, Tokoroa is struggling now.
In this episode, Shamubeel talks to:
Andrew Dobbs - redundant mill worker
Gary Petley - mayor of South Waikato
Alan Blair - former millworker
Apii Solomon - Tokoroa teacher and member of the Tokoroa Cook Islands community
Red Middlemiss - unionist
Lisa Karauma - former millworker, now works in retail
Larry Sullivan - retailer and Tokoroa stalwart
Nancy Chhur - Cambodian immigrant and business owner
