Resident Satisfaction Survey

The Manawatū District Council wants to know what residents think of Council's performance.

To do this we commission an annual survey that measures resident satisfaction with Council's performance, services and facilities. The results of these surveys enable Council to assess the extent to which it has met its performance objectives and where additional work may be required.

The survey is carried out quarterly (September, December, March, June) by an independent research company - Key Research Ltd.

The survey then contributes to a yearly benchmarking report where Key Research compare our council to the 16 others that use their services across the country.

Resident Satisfaction Survey Report 2023-24

Overall, 67% of respondents were satisfied with Council performance in 2023-24. Council did not escape the general trend of decline see across all the 18 councils who use Key Research, with many of our results showing a decline from the 2022/23 year.

When looking at the benchmarking report our 2023/24 results compare favourably with the other Councils participating in the survey. Out of the 47 measures surveyed, MDC achieved the top score in 14 measures, and significantly above the average in another eight measures. MDC was significantly below the average in 4 measures.

In 2023-24, residents were most satisfied with:

• The reliability of the sewage system (95%)
• Cemetery maintenance (94%)
• Over all satisfaction with parks, reserves and sportsgrounds (93%)

Residents were least satisfied with:

• Overall vale for money (45%)
• Rates being fair and reasonable (45%)
• How well the stormwater system is maintained (48%)

Largest increases in satisfaction in 2023-24 from 2022-23

• How easy it was to make your enquiry or request (in relation to enquiry handling) (+15%)
• The information provided being accurate (in relation to enquiry handling) (+12%)

Largest decreases in satisfaction in 2023-24 from 2022-23

• Financial management  (-12%)
• Overall satisfaction with the libraries (-8%)

Improvements have been made recently with MDC’s building consent capacity, and work is underway internally on enquiry handling and resource consenting. As part of the Long-term Plan there are projects included that would aim to improve resident satisfaction with stormwater.

Previous Reports