Local engagement higher than national average

Published on 20 May 2015

20 May 2015

Wanganui District respondents in a national survey have rated engagement between local government and the public higher than the national average, particularly for having a constructive relationship with Iwi and listening to matters important to the community.

Whanganui respondents also rated the importance of local government higher than the national average.

The Local Government Reputation Index, conducted by Colmar Brunton in June and July 2014 on behalf of Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), collected information from 219 Whanganui respondents of different ages, genders, incomes and location.

The survey asked respondents questions about the local government sector, rather than the respondent’s local council, although it is likely the respondent’s view of their own local authority will have some influence on how they view local government in general. In total, 265,000 New Zealanders were surveyed.

When asked if they were likely to talk favourably about local government, the Whanganui respondents gave a 4.5 out of 10 rating, the same as the national result. Satisfaction and leadership for local government was almost identical between the local respondents and the national average of 41 per cent.

Describing local government as ‘approachable’ and ‘customer focused’ was much more likely from local respondents than the national average, although local respondents described local government as less likely than the national average to be ‘forward-thinking’ or ‘action-orientated’.

The Reputation Index also surveyed 53 local businesses, with eight out of 10 reporting satisfaction with local government’s performance in maintaining our town centre and seven out of 10 satisfied with local government for making sure local areas are safe and secure and managing traffic flow.

The business respondents were more satisfied about local government’s performance in infrastructure, core services and other services, as compared to the national average.

The exception to that was dissatisfaction with solid waste, water and sanitation, creating a business friendly environment, the resource and building consent process and job creation.

Mayor Annette Main says work is currently under way to address some of the less favourable attitudes found in the survey.

“It is understandable that some survey respondents gave relatively low marks for waste and sanitation issues when we take into context the history of our wastewater treatment. Future survey results should be more positive, as the new treatment plant will be affordable and environmentally sound,” Mayor Main said.

Mayor Main says the work of Whanganui and Partners to increase economic development and the Council’s Leading Edge vision will help address some of the business community’s perception of local government’s performance in job creation and supporting local business growth.

“Our Council has worked really hard to engage with local businesses over the last year or so and we are already seeing positive results.”

The survey also provided an opportunity to specifically ask about our district’s ultrafast broadband build, which was completed last week, with 60 per cent of business respondents reporting that it was an advantage.

LGNZ will use the results of the survey to implement benchmarks for councils to demonstrate and deliver higher performance.