Satisfaction with Council Services remains high in South Taranaki

South Taranaki residents are generally happy with the services their council provides according to an independent survey.

The survey of 416 residents across all four general South Taranaki wards found that overall satisfaction with the Council was high at 88%, with 89% satisfaction with the Council’s core services. 90% of those surveyed felt the Council was moving in the right direction and 96% were also satisfied with the facilities provided by the Council.

The survey, which has been conducted regularly since 1993, allows the South Taranaki District Council to assess its performance by finding out from residents what they think the Council is doing well and areas where they could do better.

Services and facilities that residents were most satisfied with were the libraries (98% satisfaction), Hāwera Aquatic Centre (98%), the district’s sewerage system (97%), the cleanliness and maintenance of recreation centres (97%) and overall waste management (92%). The services that had the lowest satisfaction rates were the condition of roads (58%), Animal Management (74%), value for money (74%), public participation in decision making (76%) and illegal litter dumping (76%).

Council CEO, Fiona Aitken, says she is pleased with the results of the survey; however, the Council is always looking to improve the services it provides.

“As part of our Long Term Plan over the next three years we’ve planned to increase our roading expenditure, have committed to undertaking town centre upgrades in Manaia, Eltham, Ōpunakē, Pātea and Waverley, and have budgeted to increase resources in the animal management team.”

“We don’t always get it right, but I know how hard our staff work for the people of South Taranaki and we are continually looking at ways we can lift the bar in terms of performance,” she says.

“But it is good to know that most people think we are moving in the right direction and understand we are trying to provide the best for our communities with the resources we have.”

The District-wide survey was conducted using a random selection method by independent research company Key Research over August 2023 and March 2024.

The survey results can be found on the Council’s website www.southtaranaki.com under Plans, Strategies and Reports.