Land use change has been commonplace in Northland during the 1970s and early 1980s. The region illustrates better than any other both the adjustments to pastoral farming and the diversification of land use that are observable in many parts of New Zealand. Most of the changes in land use are well known. The expansion of exotic forestry is visible and controversial, horticultural diversification has received considerable publicity, and the commercial potential of goat farming has also attracted attention in the region. The emergence of specialised beef farms, often in conjunction with part-time farming, has received less attention. Although the changes in land use are recognised, their extent and the processes by which they have come about are less well understood. This paper establishes the dimensions of the land use changes in Northland and identifies aspects of the decision making of the individuals and corporations involved in the changes. Much of the data on which this discussion is based are derived from a series of theses and research reports completedin the Department of Geography, University of Auckland, (Kearns 1982; Wheeler 1982; Anderson and Moran 1983; Kearns and Moran 1984; Hardy 1985; Revington 1984; Wheeler and Moran 1985; Maunier, Moran and Anderson 1985).
