According to local mayor Bryan Cadogen there are "hundreds and hundreds of jobs, real good paying jobs that give a person a chance," at employers including sawmills, cheese and milk formula factories.
Kaitangata dairy farmer Evan Dick, a leading light in the town’s recruitment drive, said: “The housing crisis in New Zealand has made the Kiwi dream unattainable for many people, but in Kaitangata the Kiwi dream is still a reality.”
“This is an old-fashioned community, we don’t lock our houses, we let kids run free. We have jobs, we have houses, but we don’t have people. We want to make this town vibrant again, we are waiting with open arms.”
House and land packages are on offer for NZ$230,000 – approximately £122,000.