Compared with elsewhere in the world, New Zealand quarries have tended to be mostly small. The reasons for this are a combination of the relatively high transport costs, low population density and a pioneering, self-employed attitude.
The small size of the operations is reflected in low productivity, a tendency to repair and rebuild equipment rather than replace it, designed flexibility in the processing plant, minimal reserves investigation or development planning and a versatile and innovative work force who are generally not professionally trained.
The Resource Management Act and the Health, Safety and Employment Act as well as a customer driven demand for higher quality and consistent products will have even greater influence upon future direction of the Industry. The trend will be towards fewer quarries operated by companies and professional managers that can adapt to the new demands.