Given the enthusiasm with which the new entrepreneurialism of the revivalists has been accepted in some communities, what has become of country-mindedness? Looking at the National Party, one might think it has faded at least a bit. The National Party, however, is still a country party and it retains its country-mindedness, with indications of agrarianism (as with its recent support for the ‘single-desk’ wheat exporter). The National Farmers Federation (NFF) continues to represent rural industry, though it is an industry organisation with only weak connections to rural communities and cannot be said to have been driven by agrarianism (Connors 1996) to the extent that the National Party has. Nevertheless, both organisations represent the rural interest, to the extent that there is a singular rural interest, though particularly the NFF is industry rather than community focused. Their level of political activity and activism contrasts with the passivity of the communities discussed above.

This could reflect the view that what is good for industry is good for the community. Giving priority to farmer interests has been noted in regional local politics (Gray 1991). When we consider the strength of activism, however, and the high level of political organisation among farmers, it is surprising that there has been so little activity at the local community level for the sake of local community interests. The reason for this paradox might lie in the rigidity of the state administrative apparatus and the low status of local government. In some circumstances, rural organisations seem very keen and able to take over government activities. In other circumstances, there seems to be no recognition of the possibilities. Some examples will illustrate this problem by way of contrasting the processes of privatisation in which opportunities have arisen for rural industries and communities.