Some parts of New Zealand are heavily reliant on one or two industries, but the city is home to many essential workers. Mayor Grant Smith said the city had coped remarkably well throughout the whole pandemic, not just the most recent lockdown. But it was not just the Defence Force, there were a hoard of essential industrial businesses in Palmerston North. But Bennett and Fairburn were both very proud of what their teams had pulled off through the pandemic. For the rest of the city, Smith was pretty proud too.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 13, 2021 21:45 UTC