ABSTRACT
This chapter describes that social conflict and, using the theoretical work of Anthony Cohen, explores in some detail how local farmers explained and understood the course of events through a particular discourse and practice of locality and community, expressed and performed through the symbol of 'the Coast'. The dairy industry in New Zealand is a co-operative enterprise, with supplying farmers owning their local manufacturing company, and through these companies the assets of the New Zealand Dairy Board, which is the sole exporter of dairy products from New Zealand. Farmers were forced to reconsider the meaning of the 'Coast and community' and to find new ways to practice community. The key terms people used in describing themselves and the Coast as distinctive were isolation; separation; marginalisation; independence; self-reliance; initiative and strong community spirit. The perceived marginalisation and isolation of the Coast were seen to have fostered in the people a sense of independence, self-reliance and 'strong community spirit'.
