“A town or city is not an isolated entity: it is a vital part of the region in which it is situated.” This axiom of city planning aptly explains the nature of the growth of New Zealand's towns and cities. This country has always placed great emphasis upon its rural activities; the fertility of its soil and suitable climate has enabled it to become one of the world's most important suppliers of butter, meat, and wool. These are the principal exports, the mainstay of its overseas exchange, and consequently the major source of its prosperity.